COTABATO CITY — The humanitarian arm of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) on Monday distributed 2,000 food packs to returning internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Marawi City as the region has continued its humanitarian response.
Myrna Jo Henry, speaking for the ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Response Team (HEART), said the recipients of another batch of food aid had mixed emotions seeing their homes “beyond recognition” as a result of armed hostilities.
“It was ARMM Peoples Day where regional government agencies brought basic services to the places of origin of IDPs,” Henry said of the event headed by ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman, ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia and regional cabinet members.
She said each food pack contained 10 kilos of rice, five sardines, five corned beef, “malong” (Muslim tube clothing) and mats for each family-recipient, mostly from Barangays Malutlut and Central Basak.
The ARMM-HEART also conducted Mine Risk Education on Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) to the IDPs in Marawi City.
The former war zone of government forces and ISIS-inspired terrorists had been cleared of war materials but the training was a safety measure to prevent accidents.
Residents were told not to touch any unexploded ordnance like mortars, grenades, bombs, even bullets to ensure safety, Henry said. (PNA)
