UN agency expands food relief programme in southern Philippines

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is continuing to dispatch hundreds of tons of rice to families displaced by the violent clashes in the southern Philippines between Government forces and Muslim rebels.

WFP announced today in a press release that it has already sent 325 tons of rice to some 13,000 families on the island of Mindanao, where the fighting is occurring.

The agency has also agreed to provide 250 tons of rice for 10,000 other families in the provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte – where tens of thousands of people have become displaced – for at least a month.

Stephen Anderson, WFP’s Country Director, said the increased assistance follows a rapid assessment by aid officials across the region. The provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato and Sarangani have also been affected by the recent violence.

“We hope for peace and stability so that affected families in Mindanao can soon return to their homes and begin rebuilding their lives,” he said.

“In the current unpredictable security situation, vulnerable victims of these clashes urgently need to receive humanitarian assistance, especially essential food among other complimentary relief items.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement last week voicing concern about the fighting on Mindanao and the unfolding humanitarian crisis as a result.