World Vision, with funding from Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has started the distribution of sanitation kits for 7900 families or 39,500 individuals in Marawi City.

The said initiative is in response to the growing needs of home-based IDPs (internally displaced population) who are still reeling from the impact of the 2017 armed conflict and are now further threatened by COVID-19 pandemic.

“The sanitation kits are intended to be used for their protection and prevention of CoVID-19 spread,” shares World Vision’s COVID-19 Response Field Coordinator, Adonis Casinillo.

Each sanitation kit includes body soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, face masks, and an information material on health safety measures.

“This partnership will also cater to 5,600 families or 28,000 individuals who are still displaced and are staying in transitional shelter in Marawi City, through cash assistance,” adds Casinillo. Each family will receive Php1000.

The on-going response prioritizes the most vulnerable, especially families with members who are malnourished (0-5 years old), persons with disability (PWD) or sick with dreaded disease, pregnant women/lactating mothers, senior citizens, and families who are headed by a female solo parent or a child.

Noraisa, a village leader whose family was displaced by the armed conflict and whose livelihood was affected by COVID-19 shares, “In our community, many families don’t have the means to buy hygiene products for everyday use. With the sanitation kit, we can practice proper hygiene which is very important during this pandemic. The reading materials included in the kit will also educate people on how to protect themselves.”

As of October 2019, there are 25,682 families who are still staying in transitional sites or living with their relatives. While many families have already returned to their homes, most of them are still recovering from the crisis. The growing cases of COVID-19 in the country is exacerbating the humanitarian situation. As of September 4, 2020, there are 114 active cases in Lanao del Sur province and in Marawi City. The virus has already claimed 13 lives.

“We are thankful to the Korean government and Shinhan Financial Group for extending their support to the people of Marawi. We also acknowledge World Vision’s partners and the community members themselves,” says World Vision’s COVID-19 Response Manager Ligaya Munez.

World Vision is also working closely with the Task Force Bangon Marawi, LGU-Marawi, and the city’s Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATAF) in the implementation of the project.