Mindanao crisis displaces 100,000
In another blow to the people on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, and with them investors, the current violent crisis between government troops and Muslim rebels has displaced more than 100,000, humanitarian organisations say.
There are reports that some of the evacuation centers are overcrowded, and there are serious water and sanitation concerns, as well as access issues to non-food items, United Nations officials said.
Thirty-seven per cent of the city of Zamboanga’s population is now displaced, the International Organisation for Migration reported. Of the displaced, some 95,000 are now staying in more than 30 evacuation centers, including the city’s main sports stadium, where lack of water and toilets is quickly becoming a concern, aid workers say. The rest of the displaced are staying with their families or friends, but remain vulnerable from desperate Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels now fleeing the assault.
At the same time, residents living along coastal areas were staying in small boats anchored near the sea, only venturing inland to seek relief goods.
The crisis began on September 9, when hundreds of MNLF rebels seeking to hoist their independence flag at the Zamboanga city hall seized control of six heavily populated coastal villages.
In another blow to the people on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, and with them investors, the current violent crisis between government troops and Muslim rebels has displaced more than 100,000, humanitarian organisations say. There are reports that some of the evacuation centers are overcrowded, and there are serious water and sanitation concerns, as well as access issues to non-food items, United Nations officials said. Thirty-seven per cent of the city of Zamboanga’s population is now displaced, the International Organisation for Migration reported. Of the displaced, some 95,000 are now staying in more than 30 evacuation centers, including the...
In another blow to the people on the southern Philippines island of Mindanao, and with them investors, the current violent crisis between government troops and Muslim rebels has displaced more than 100,000, humanitarian organisations say.
There are reports that some of the evacuation centers are overcrowded, and there are serious water and sanitation concerns, as well as access issues to non-food items, United Nations officials said.
Thirty-seven per cent of the city of Zamboanga’s population is now displaced, the International Organisation for Migration reported. Of the displaced, some 95,000 are now staying in more than 30 evacuation centers, including the city’s main sports stadium, where lack of water and toilets is quickly becoming a concern, aid workers say. The rest of the displaced are staying with their families or friends, but remain vulnerable from desperate Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels now fleeing the assault.
At the same time, residents living along coastal areas were staying in small boats anchored near the sea, only venturing inland to seek relief goods.
The crisis began on September 9, when hundreds of MNLF rebels seeking to hoist their independence flag at the Zamboanga city hall seized control of six heavily populated coastal villages.
