Government troops stand by the ruins at the site of a three-week intense fighting between government forces and Muslim rebels Sept. 28, 2013, in Zamboanga City. AP FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Filipinos affected by conflict in Mindanao received P20-million worth of aid from the government of Canada as part of their international development assistance efforts, the Canadian Embassy in the Philippines announced Thursday.
“The Government of Canada has announced it is giving Cad$ 500,000 (estimated P20 million) in humanitarian assistance funding for those affected by conflict in Mindanao,” the embassy said in a statement.
“The funding will be channeled to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to address the humanitarian needs of thousands living in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao,” it said.
Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Neil Reeder said that the funding will be poured primarily into efforts to improve the health of Filipinos that have been displaced because of the decades-long conflict from rebels and insurgent groups.
“Canada has committed to scaling up interventions that will have the greatest impact, focusing in the areas of strengthening health systems, improving nutrition, and reducing the burden of leading diseases,” Reeder said in the statement.
“The contribution announced today builds on this engagement by supporting efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of those in greatest need in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao,” he said.
More than 15,000 refugees remain in evacuation centers a year after members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) laid siege on Zamboanga City in 2013.
Fighting between MNLF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) lasted for several days until the rebels were eventually repulsed.
The Canadian Embassy said that they are also supporting ICRC operations in Mindanao by providing seeds, tools and fishing equipment to help improve the livelihoods of 59,500 conflict-affected people.
They are also providing technical assistance to rehabilitate water and sanitation facilities at the community level to benefit up to 6,000 people as well as medical and surgical supplies for hospitals, and food and other supplies for up to 84,000 people.
“This additional P20 million funding demonstrates Canada’s continuing commitment to build on our strong ties with the Philippines,” Reeder said.
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