Emergency Assistance to Displaced Populations in the Philippines - ICRC 2010

For the past forty years armed secessionist groups have battled the Government of the Philippines in an attempt to gain autonomy for the Muslim-majority areas of the southern Philippines. In August 2008 the suspension of an agreement on the issue of an autonomous Muslim homeland between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) led to the collapse of peace talks and triggered renewed fighting in the southern island of Mindanao. As a result of the fighting approximately 600 000 people were displaced from their homes in Mindanao. Over a year later between 330 000 and 400 000 people remain displaced. CIDA's contribution is supporting the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to provide protection and assistance to displaced and conflict-affected civilians in Mindanao southern Philippines. Activities also include working with the Philippine National Red Cross to provide food shelter water sanitation and basic health care services to internally displaced populations. ICRC also works to promote compliance with International Humanitarian Law by all parties to the conflict.