IOM Mindanao Newsletter FOR THE BENEFIT OF MIGRANTS AND SOCIETY Issue no. 4.1 - June 2009 Situation Update. As of late June 2009, ten months after the onset of the current complex situation in Mindanao, the number of IDP families, whether camp-based or host family-based, in all of Mindanao has increased by about ten percent (from 66,506 families to 73,722 families), and by nearly 40% in the three provinces where IOM is presently working (from 44,141 families to 61,661 families in total in the provinces of Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat). The most substantial increase per location is Maguindanao Province, where figures indicate more than double the displacement from early September 2008 to late June 2009. North Cotabato displacement has decreased by 58% and Sultan Kudarat decreased by 16%. While figures are not entirely dependable concerning the number of camp- like displacement sites, IOM estimates that the number of IDP sites (excluding host families) has increased markedly as well, as detailed on the chart insert page. Additionally, there is some evidence that the hosting families are themselves increasingly in need of humanitarian assistance to meet the sustained requirements of caring for relatives alongside their own families. The proliferation of IDP sites and host communities underscores the highly mobile nature of this displacement and the need facilitated by IOM MVPS team members. December 2008. for equal mobility and flexibility in the humanitarian response. Displacement Figures in Areas of IOM Programme Activity: Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat Provinces IDP Families Number of IDP Province TOTAL Camps Camp-based Hosted* 52,714 families Maguindanao 36,896 15,818 (approximately 263,570 131 individuals) 7,297 families North Cotabato 5,773 1,524 (approximately 36,485 32 individuals) 1,650 families Sultan Kudarat 1,650 -- (approximately 8,250 8 individuals) 61,661 families TOTALS 44,319 17,342 (approximately 308,305 171 individuals) * IOM notes that approximately 18,268 families in three Provinces, in 90 separate host communities, are hosting the home-based IDPs (16,744 families in Maguindanao, and 1,524 families in North Cotabato, and none enumerated in Sultan Kudarat). Source: DSWD and IOM figures as of 20 June 2009. Figures validated and adjusted for certain locations by IOM IDP teams. Data on vulnerable populations returning to their original communities continues to be inconclusive because many of the areas, particularly in Maguindanao and North Cotabato Provinces, are sporadically subject to the effect of hostilities and renewed displacement. These hostilities appear to have clearly increased in May and June. This has led an increase in IDP populations within existing IDP sites and to the establishment of new IDP sites. Moreover, these armed actions have necessarily resulted in tightened restrictions for humanitarian agency access to IDP sites, including restrictions based on UN security clearances at certain times for certain locations (not broadly across Mindanao), and further constraints due to the need to increase coordination on movements in and around IDP sites with the military. However, IOM views that some sites in North Cotabato Province appear relatively stable and ready for staged and managed return, as noted in the North Cotabato highlight section in this newsletter. (more) IOM humanitarian activities in Mindanao are funded by the European Commission through its Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) IOM • OIM U P D A T E O N H U M A N I T A R I A N A S S I S T A N C E The protracted and complex nature of the displacement on Cotabato cannot extend the same support to them as they can to Mindanao continues to create a challenging environment for IDPs from North Cotabato, given the limited resources and taking effective humanitarian assistance. Due to recent armed actions, matters of jurisdiction into consideration. In a recent (late June) IDP populations and the number of IDP sites continue to increase field visit to one such IDP site, established in May, IOM found over while local government units have reported significant depletion 60 families at a site with one usable latrine. At a neighboring IDP in their resources to provide for affected populations. In addition, site, one man reported that two of his grandchildren had died at some humanitarian actors are reaching the closing stages of their this site, likely due to diseases directly attributable to the very emergency response programs. As a result Mindanao is faced with poor public health conditions. While this is a single anecdotal case a marked waning of humanitarian assistance readily available on history, IOM’s field teams confirm that such tragedies are far from the ground. The most urgent gaps, identified in all three provinces rare. IOM again notes a key point: the location referenced was reported here (Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat), recently established, in May, due to the circulation of the displaced continue to fall under the Food, Camp Coordination and Camp from IDP sites, towards or to their homes, and with diversion or Management (including Non Food Items, NFI, support), Emergency return to create a new IDP site. This is typical of the fluid nature of Shelter and WASH clusters. These gaps continue to increase in the displacement, requiring equally fluid and mobile assessment, correlation with the rising IDP population and with secondary coordination and response. displacement of that population. Sustained support to the IDPs in the coming months remains uncertain as resources of humanitarian In North Cotabato, IOM also sees the prospect for staged, monitored actors continue to dwindle. As noted, the heightening of armed and supported return to some communities, in particular to the areas clashes in some areas has, at the same time, made regular access of Alamada (specific areas in the north of this municipality), Aleosan, to some sites more difficult. Pikit (specific locations) and Tulunan. IOM’s mobile strategy allows for the IOM IDP support teams – termed Mobile and Vulnerable IOM notes that while the displacement is largely the result of the Population Support (MVPS) teams – to track and support IDPs as hostilities between the main political protagonists – the Armed they return to such areas, enabling key humanitarian support to Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and rogue elements of the Moro help make this transition more possible and sustainable. Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) – some of the displacement in certain areas is due to inter-clan hostilities. In this regard IOM Sultan Kudarat feels it is important to distinguish between those displaced due to The number of IDP sites decreased with the return of IDPs in three clan rivalries and those displaced as a direct effect of the political affected municipalities. However, eight new evacuation centers hostilities. While there should be no distinction in the receipt of have been established in Lebak as a result of recent armed clashes core humanitarian assistance, as all are displaced and in need, the between MILF and MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front) forces. vitality of the political-military conflict and its humanitarian effect A significant source of conflict in this province is a long standing is best judged by only the number of persons displaced due to family feud between two opposing commanders from the MILF that conflict. Presently, the numbers provided do not make a clear and the MNLF; as such, this aspect of the conflict and much of distinction between these two causes; they are not disaggregated the displacement in this province can be seen as a clan warfare in this document. issue. As noted earlier, the humanitarian effects on families and individuals are, none the less, the same or clearly comparable to Maguindanao those displaced due to armed conflict between the main political Maguindanao continues to be the most affected province, as the protagonists (MILF elements and AFP). table and separately-included chart figures indicate. Concurrent with the direct humanitarian consequences of the displacement in obvious cluster sectors – food, non-food items, shelter, water and sanitation – there are troubling reports of a possible increase in protection-related transgressions in the province. For example, abductions and executions of suspected members of MILF rogue groups among the IDP population particularly in Datu Piang and Mamasapano have been reported, though not confirmed. It is also of import to note that displacement in some predominantly Muslim municipalities in Maguindanao is triggered by Rido – armed clashes between clans in the community – rather than by encounters between MILF elements and the AFP. North Cotabato The increase in IDP populations over the past three months (as indicated on the separate chart insert) in the province is due to renewed hostilities in the southern part of the municipality of Alamada, and a large influx of IDPs from Datu Piang, Maguindanao, to Midsayap. The municipality of Midsayap lies near the border of North Cotabato and Maguindanao. IDPs from Maguindanao chose Libungan Toreta IDP site, Pigkawayan, North Cotabato. to cross the border into Midsayap, North Cotabato, due to over Water points with handpumps and water drums are crowding in the IDP sites in Datu Piang, Maguindanao. This specific among the WASH sector assistance provided by IOM group of IDPs face an added complication in seeking humanitarian to IDP communities. June 2009. assistance in that the Local Government Units (LGUs) of North I O M I N M I N D A N A O Immediate Response to Emergencies on the Ground IOM’s Mobile and Vulnerable Population Support (MVPS) teams continue to regularly assess the situation in the field and to deliver direct services. As of June 2009, MVPS teams cover 250 IDP sites across Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat, including both evacuation sites and hosting communities. MVPS teams continue to provide up-to-date information on the most immediate humanitarian needs and the mobility behavior of affected population, as well as making referrals to and actively engaging coordination among government and humanitarian actors, towards the efficient delivery of humanitarian support.