10% of displaced families from Marawi in evacuation centers: DSWD

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 8): 10% of displaced families from Marawi in evacuation centers: DSWD

Only 10 percent of the 48,010 families, consisting of 233,691 persons, who have fled the ongoing armed conflict in Marawi City, are staying in evacuation centers, Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said Thursday.

Some 4,317 families, or 20,754 persons, are in 64 evacuation centers in Northern Mindanao, said Taguiwalo.

She however noted that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to provide food and non-food items even to those who are staying with relatives and friends.

The social welfare chief said her department has already extended PHP54.26 million worth of food and non-food aid to the displaced families since the start of the Marawi siege.

Aside from that, the DSWD has also provided PHP60.05 million to its field offices in Central Visayas (PHP19.08 million), Northern Mindanao (PHP5.54 million), Soccsksargen (PHP25.40 million), and Caraga (PHP10.03 million) to help them purchase additional supplies not included in the relief goods, Taguiwalo added.

Government forces have been battling members of the terrorist Maute Group who have laid siege to Marawi City in Lanao del Sur since May 23.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/994294