MANILA, Philippines—The European Union (EU) has donated at least P29 million worth of aid to people who had been displaced and suffered the economic impact of recent armed conflicts in Mindanao, according to an EU official.
“The recent violence in Mindanao has caused the already dire humanitarian situation in the area to worsen, with many more forced to live in displacement, adding to those already affected since the start of the conflict in 2017,” said the EU commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarčič, in a statement.
The aid will benefit some of the hardest-hit conflict areas in Maguindanao and other parts of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The donation seeks to bring food, clean water, sanitation and hygiene to the displaced people.
Families are forced to flee their homes during clashes between government forces and terror groups and between Moro groups involved in rido, or clan war. They take shelter in evacuation camps until armed clashes cease, forcing them to abandon farms and livestock and rely solely on government or private sector aid.
The EU said the assistance will support its existing humanitarian partners—Action Against Hunger, CARE International and Oxfam International.