UNHCR expresses concern for 120 000 refugees displaced by renewed fighting in central Mindanao

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 23): UNHCR expresses concern for 120 000 refugees displaced by renewed fighting in central Mindanao

The office of the Geneva-based United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee (UNHCR) expressed its concern on Monday for the 120,000 people displaced since fighting broke out anew last January between government forces and Muslim rebels in central Mindanao.

In an e-mail to this reporter, UNHCR pointed to the safety of the “women and children who could be exposed to exploitation and abuse” in the raging conflict in the area.

“UNHCR appeals to all parties of the conflict to ensure the safety of civilians while the law and order operation is underway,” said the agency’s spokesperson, Babar Baloch.

Babar said the UNHCR and its partners estimate that 13 municipalities in the areas of Maguindanao and North Cotabato in central Mindanao have been affected in eight weeks of clashes between government troops and the breakaway armed group, Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF).

Renewed clashes broke out following the killing of 44 police commandos of the Special Action Force (SAF) out to arrest international terrorist Zulkifli Abdul bin Hir, alias Marwan, in Mamasapano, Maguindanao last Jan. 25.

The 44 SAF troopers were killed during an 11-hour gun battle with combined forces of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and BIFF despite a ceasefire signed by the government and MILF because the MILF said the SAF did not coordinate with them that they would enter an MILF “territory” prior to the fighting.

The Mamapasano incident has been tagged by government forces as a massacre because many of the SAF troopers were shot several times at close range despite being killed.

Almost two months after the massacre, the Mamapasano bloodbath has dominated the Philippine media to date.

The UNHCR said that the 120,000 displaced people are now sheltering in schools, public buildings and madrasas (institutions for the study of Islamic theology and religious law).

The estimate does not include people hosted by relatives and friends, and the numbers are expected to grow as the fighting extends to the local communities that are already hosting many of the displaced, Baloch said.

UNHCR cannot access many of the affected areas and relies on information provided by local authorities, civil society organizations and partners, he added.

Humanitarian agencies, including UNHCR, in Mindanao are working closely with the local authorities to monitor the conditions of displaced people inside and outside the shelters.

“We have provided some blankets, jerry cans, sleeping mats, mosquito nets and plastic sheets, but more aid is needed urgently,” Baloch said.

“UNHCR is particularly concerned about the safety of civilians, including women and children who are caught up in the conflict areas,” he said.

“It is unclear how long or widely the ongoing law and order operation will extend and this is hindering the safe and dignified return of the displaced people," Baloch added.

He also said that “women and children could potentially be exposed to exploitation and abuse, given their lack of income and community protection. The limited provision of food, medicine, water and temporary shelter could exacerbate these vulnerabilities.”

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=746946