Internally Displaced in Philippines

Report (IDCM - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre) on the situation of IDPs and returnees in the Philippines. The situation of these people in the Philippines is close to others countries. It´s noticed that even with the end of hostilities, often remain obstacles to the return and creating new migration flows.

“The ensuing ceasefire has allowed most of the internally displaced people (IDPs) to return to their home areas. For others, however, security concerns such as the absence of a peace agreement, the continued presence of armed groups and sporadic violence caused by escalating clan wars (known locally as rido) are serious obstacles to return and in some cases have caused new displacements”, p.03.

One of the main reasons that the return is not efficient is not coming together of economic and social restructuring in the affected areas. The lack of jobs, encouragement of agriculture, schools and health (see video attached) are strong reasons to prolong the suffering of these people.

“The 2008 to 2009 conflict devastated productive assets and livelihoods in areas where most people were already experiencing high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition and where access to clean water, sanitation, education and health care was already very limited (WFP, 31 May 2008, pp.2-3). Infrastructure, schools and homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and many communities still trying to recover from previous fighting and displacement were forced to start from scratch again. IDPs have often suffered much worse than the rest of the population in this sense. They have lost their livelihoods and access to their homes, and prolonged stays in overcrowded IDP camps or with host families have left them facing extreme hardship and heavily dependent on external assistance to meet their most basic needs”, p.06

It´s necessary: an institutional restructuring and a stronger and effective international response, in addition to a common strategic plan to prevent further displacement

Philippines: Durable solutions still out of sight for many IDPs and returnees in Mindanao:

http://youtu.be/QbkWghRlaNA