Hundreds of families in North Cotabato are still displaced due to the armed conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) that started on December 31, 2013. These families are coming from the Barangays of Paidu Pulangi in Pikit and Macasendeg in Midsayap of the said province.

On January 10, 2014, exchange of gunfire and explosions have caused more fear to the affected families and would tell that the situation is still unstable so they cannot yet return to their places of origin.

On the same day, Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) in partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), together with other non-government organizations (NGOs), did joint protection monitoring to track the status of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the said conflict.

Other purpose of that activity included identification of priority needs of the IDPs and possible relief intervention.

The joint protection monitoring team visited the temporary IDP shelters in Datu Bitol Memorial High School at Brgy. Paido Pulangi.

During the interaction, IDPs related that they have very hard time staying at evacuation centers. They only stay at camp tents built inside the school grounds. When it rains, the situation becomes more difficult for them. “Nahihirapan po kami lalo na ang mga bata, malamig sa gabi at natatakot kami na baka magkasakit na kami” (It is very difficult for us, especially for the children, it is cold at night and we are afraid that we might get sick), one IDP said.

IDPs further accounted that on January 2, 104 four (4) houses and one (1) day care centre were burned down in Sitio Mapagkaya, Brgy. Paidu Pulangi.

Through this monitoring activity, actual status of the affected families was documented and shared with Municipal Social Welfare Development Office (MSWDO) for validation and complementation of data. MSWDO is the office in-charge for relief and emergency situation. They use the data in determining relief assistance for the affected families.

Accordingly, the local government of Pikit has already provided basic relief goods to the affected families such as rice, canned goods and noodles.

Different organizations have already been doing initiatives in finding concrete solutions to the conflict. The local government of Pikit, the Non-Violent Peaceforce (NP) and other organizations are already coordinating with corresponding agencies like the Coordinating Committee on the Cessation of Hostilities (CCCH) to settle this conflict.

One of the program thrusts of the BDA, as development arm of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and mandated to determine, lead and manage relief, rehabilitation and development in conflict-affected areas of Mindanao, is Social Welfare to cater concerns on services and intervention, in coordination with government and non-government humanitarian agencies to the vulnerable communities especially those affected by natural and man-made calamities.

Last year, BDA has forged partnership with the UNHCR for “Strengthening Capacities for IDP Protection” Program. Through this program, BDA is able to develop a mechanism towards protection of communities in emergency situations like natural calamities and armed conflict.