AUSTRALIA INCREASES SUPPORT TO PHP 975 MILLION FOR MARAWI RECOVERY
Marawi, 26 October 2018 - Australia has increased its total support to recovery and long term peace and stability in the southern Philippines to PHP975 million (AUD 25 million) following the siege of Marawi City.
“As the tragedy of the siege of Marawi unfolded last year, we wanted to do more. Once the scale of the devastation became apparent, the Australian Government quickly announced humanitarian assistance for those displaced from Marawi and support for the city’s recovery,” said Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely.
The Ambassador made the statement during her visit to Marawi on Friday, 26 October to meet with government and community leaders to discuss ongoing recovery efforts.
Ambassador Gorely met with Task Force Bangon Marawi Assistant Secretary Felix Castro Jr. and Sultan Nasser Sampaco, Chairman of the Marawi Reconstruction and Conflict Watch.
Australia has been a strong supporter of development, peace and stability in the southern Philippines for over 20 years. As well as the longstanding support for education, Australia is supporting development projects in conflict-affected communities in Muslim Mindanao.
In addition to its ongoing development programs in education, Australia is funding:
· School feeding for 50,000 children and food assistance for families displaced from Marawi;
· Education and child protection activities to support children affected by the conflict;
· Psychosocial services and livelihoods assistance under the Marawi Recovery Project; and
· Technical assistance to Task Force Bangon Marawi for recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Through civil society partners, Australia is also supporting religious and traditional leaders to build community resilience to the influence of terrorist groups.
While in Marawi, the Ambassador also visited the Sarimanok Evacuation Centre in Barangay Poblacion. She met with some of the 134 families at the centre benefitting from Australia’s livelihood support.
“As a good friend and neighbor, Australia is committed to providing humanitarian assistance when necessary,” said Ambassador Gorely. “Through our partnership with the Task Force Bangon Marawi and our work with civil society organisations, we are supporting people affected by the Marawi crisis.”
Australia is providing PHP 97.5 million (AUD 2.5 million) over two years for protection activities, psychosocial support and by providing a range of livelihood opportunities for displaced families most affected by the crisis. This support will reach 4,000 families (20,000 beneficiaries) in total and is implemented by Community and Family Services International (CFSI) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on behalf of the Australian Government.
Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely visited Marawi on October 26 to handover livelihood support to displaced families at the Sarimanok Evacuation Centre in Barangay Poblacion. This is part of a PHP 97.5 million, two-year Australian development project that will benefit 20,000 individuals most affected by the Marawi siege.