ICRC Philippines 2020 Operational Highlights
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HELPING PEOPLE AFFECTED BY CONFLICT AND THE PANDEMIC A SNAPSHOT OF ICRC RESPONSE IN THE PHILIPPINES IN 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in major health and economic economically impacted on by the pandemic and conflict, such as challenges for millions of Filipinos in the last year, but the effects displaced people, families of missing persons and persons with were particularly burdensome to people displaced or affected by disabilities. internal armed conflicts and situations of violence. When field trips resumed after COVID-related movement In response to these humanitarian concerns, the International restrictions were eased, the ICRC restarted projects to enhance Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) immediately focused on water, sanitation and access to education for conflict-affected supporting the COVID-19 response of the Philippine Red Cross communities, as well as livelihood and cash-for-work programs, (PRC) in Mindanao; and the Philippine government’s efforts to often in cooperation with PRC. Dialogue on respect for international reduce the virus’ spread in congested detention facilities and humanitarian law, or the law of armed conflict, continued with in conflict zones. It provided trainings on infection prevention national authorities and weapons bearers, including state and and control, management of the dead, and mental health, non-state forces. for frontliners. The ICRC also assisted those who were most ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE TO COVID-19 SUPPORT TO DETENTION AUTHORITIES’ RESPONSE 9 COVID-19 isolation centers 400 health and 86 tablet devices 23 COVID-19 isolation with 1,403 beds to cater to infected non-health staff with SIM card and load centers for detainees and detainees in BJMP, BuCor and BI from 15 detention facilities trained on provided for detainees in 34 BJMP detention facilities facilities, established with technical infection prevention and control and jails and COVID-19 isolation centers to received additional PPE and basic and material support from ICRC supplied with PPE allow them to maintain contact with medical equipment family members ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE & MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIP WITH AND PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT PHILIPPINE RED CROSS 1 major hospital in 300 healthcare workers 38 PRC chapters in 5 PRC chapters in BARMM Cotabato and 1 health and frontliners Mindanao, Bicol, Eastern benefited from financial assistance to facility in Marawi in Mindanao benefited from “Helping Visayas and Negros complement local health systems and received technical and material support the Helpers” online sessions for self- benefited from ICRC financial authorities in their COVID-19 response to establish or expand COVID-19 care and MHPSS support to fellow assistance to support their local to include PPEs, hygiene kits in quarantine facilities; frontliners COVID-19 response including community and hospital quarantine 10 other hospitals received PPEs business continuity of its blood and areas and a molecular laboratory in ambulance services Zamboanga City for COVID-19 testing SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY CONFLICT ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER, SANITATION AND HEALTHCARE 1,000 residents Supported the Marawi City 10 hospitals 230 weapon bearers, in Saad village, Dumingag, Water District (MCWD) in Mindanao received quarterly health personnel and Zamboanga del Sur benefited from through the renovation of their office, support of medicines, medical community members the construction of a water-supply which was damaged by the 2017 supplies and equipment; in Mindanao received first aid project conflict; and donations of chlorine 8 additional hospitals and trainings disinfectant and fuel for their pumping 5 RHUs received ad hoc donations station’s generators of essential medical supplies and equipment RELIEF AND LIVELIHOOD SUPPORT 9,120 people 12,200 people 1,600 vulnerable people displaced by conflict or other violence in from Maguindanao, Lake Sebu and Kalilangan in such as families of missing persons and persons Mindanao received food rations and/or Iligan, received cash grants to help restore their with disabilities received cash grants to improve their household items livelihoods while 755 others gained income through economic situation made worse by the pandemic cash-for-work PROPER TREATMENT, HEALTH AND LIVING CONDITIONS, FAMILY LINKS FOR DETAINEES 20,000 detainees 4,900 detainees Provided technical support 87 visits in BJMP Region 4A jails benefited in six BJMP jails in Luzon and to the BJMP to finalize a 5-year Human done in 71 places of detention from ICRC-supported TB mass Zamboanga City benefited from Resources Strategic Plan aimed at to assess the treatment and living screenings conducted despite improvements to water supply, enhancing their HR deployment and conditions of persons deprived of COVID-19 ventilation, kitchen and outdoor ultimately, addressing humanitarian liberty, including facilities in PNP, BI, access, and bunk beds needs in BJMP jails BJMP, and provincial jails RESPECT FOR HUMANITARIAN LAW 4 academic institutions More than 20 prosecutors 1,300 members 300 BJMP personnel in Manila and Mindanao joined the first roll-out of the IHL of the AFP and PNP trained on management of the dead engaged on the teaching of IHL and specialization course developed by were briefed on IHL, ICRC mandate, (MotD), as it is one of the principles of convergence with Islam the National Prosecution Service in and humanitarian principles; a five- IHL; conducted a webinar on COVID-19 partnership with ICRC year MoU was signed with the PNP and Islamic burials for Asia-Pacific for integration of the laws applicable participants; assisted the Philippine Air to armed conflict and international Force in drafting their MotD policy in standards of policing conflict and natural disasters.