MANILA – The United Nations World Food Programme announced Thursday that it will provide 85 metric tons of rice (1700 bags) to assist more than 42,000 people displaced by fighting on the restive island of Jolo.
The Philippine military said at least 21 people were killed and over 100 injured in clashes between soldiers and Moro National Liberation Front rebels since last week.
The UN said the hostilities drove some 8,500 families from their homes in seven of 18 towns on the island of Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago, about 950 km south of Manila.
"We hope this support for hungry families will help stabilize the situation in Sulu," said Valerie Guarnieri, WFP Country Director in the Philippines. "The province is one of the most conflict-affected areas of Mindanao, and the World Food Programme will provide assistance to these families in their time of need."
WFP staff will travel to Sulu to plan and oversee the distribution. Guanieri did not say when the rice would arrive.
Despite a 1996 peace accord between the Government and the MNLF, there have been occasional outbreaks of fighting. In March, WFP provided 25 metric tons rice (500 bags) to 6,000 displaced people in Sulu, who have since returned to their homes.
While the relief programme in Sulu involves the direct distribution of free food to displaced families, ongoing WFP-supported activities in Maguindanao, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur provinces also use food to increase school attendance, repair damaged infrastructure, provide nutritional support for mothers and children and promote peace.
Major donors to WFP's emergency assistance programme for people affected by the conflict in Mindanao include: Multilateral funds (US$3.9 million); Japan (US$2.4 million) Australia (US$1.4 million) and Germany (US$985,000). (With a report from Mark Navales and Ely Dumaboc)
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