NGOs, Groups Deliver Aid To Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 11, 2008) - Responding to the humanitarian crisis brought about by armed conflict in Mindanao, the non-government organization Asia America Initiative and other stakeholders delivered medical and other humanitarian supplies worth over P22 million to Christian and Muslim refugees in the trtoubled region.

AAI President Albert Santoli and his Philippine director Rohaniza Sumndad led the mission to Mindanao and at the same time emphasized solidarity and peace-building among Muslim and Christian communities in the areas.

Sumndad, whose family hails from Marawi City in Lanao province, is also organizing peace advocacy among people representing all Filipino cultures.

In the support for the AAI mission, student organizations and various businesses, private organizations local governments have contributed supplies, logistic and manpower to assist the refugees.

“In our interaction with the victims of violence in Iligan City, Lanao del Sur and North Cotabato we learned that this is not a battle between neighbors of different religions, who in some cases, are living together in temporary outdoor shelters and share what little necessities of life are available. They strongly expressed that living in inter-cultural communities, they do not want a religious war,” Sumndad said.

The AAI team said the impacted communities had no basic shelter, medical care and food supplies and not even sanitation or clean water which has now become a desperate priority. Refugees are camped at public schools and multi-purpose centers used as temporary shelters many in muddy rice fields and abandoned lands.

“In every group of refugees we encountered they had little more than clothes on their backs and with the largest population being infants and small children. In some cases, we had to purchase forks and spoons because they do not even have basic tools for survival. They fear going back to their homes because of the growing threat of on-going armed conflict and terror attacks,” Santoli said.

Sumndad said: “Officials and doctors in every refugee centers requested trauma counseling and the need for healing children who were exposed to extreme violence even the murder of family members. Social workers in the camps recommended that healing activities could take the form of simple children’s games. AAI donated stuffed animals and infant toys to help comfort the children in the camps.”

In Lanao del Sur, AAI also inaugurated “Gardens of Peace” (vegetable and flower gardening) project for public schools in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), the Department of Education and the Provincial Government.

Medical supplies were donated by private companies such as Unilever and MedPharm, and charitable institutions like Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, from student groups at the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University.

Packing and mobilizing in Iligan City was conducted by volunteer students from St. Michael College, Mindanao State University – College of Medicine and an Ayala Young Leader Chapter called AYLA-MILAN. Transportation was provided by NorthWest Airlines and the Philippine Air Lines Foundation.

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Sulu, Basilan To Launch "Development" Offensives

Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and his deputy Nur Ana Sahidula distribute farm implements to villagers in the province during the first H.E.L.P peace caravan last year. Sulu and Basilan provinces will launch a second H.E.L.P. peace caravan in July 17-19, 2008. (Mindanao Examiner Photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 27, 2008) – New Presidential Peace Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. has announced the start next month of the second H.E.L.P. peace caravan in the southern Philippine island of Sulu.

HELP stands for “Health, Education, Livelihood, Progress,” is a collaborative effort of national government agencies and various non-government organizations to address the immediate health, education and livelihood needs of communities affected by conflict.

The peace caravan, Esperon said, is also in collaboration with the Sulu provincial government, which played a big role in the successful launching last year of the first H.E.L.P. peace caravan which was participated by thousands of Muslims led by Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and her deputy Nur Ana Sahidulla.

Esperon said the two-day peace caravan would begin on July 17 in Sulu and this would be duplicated in Basilan province. Both Sulu and Basilan are part of the six-province Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“We are currently at the forefront of a wide scale humanitarian initiative in the South, with our renewal of humanitarian and relief efforts in Sulu and Basilan,” he said.

Esperon said President Gloria Arroyo has ordered a “full-scale development offensive” in Sulu and Basilan.

“By putting all national government initiatives in Basilan and Sulu in one package, and with their economic development becoming excellent laboratories for corporate social responsibility, everything shall eventually result in a better comprehensive delivery of services,” Esperon said.

The Asia America Initiative, an international non-government organization which participated in the past peace caravan, said it will join again the next H.E.L.P. activities in Sulu.

“Our goal is to build common ground and establish sustainable social and economic development programs in some of the most impoverished areas in Southeast Asia,” said AAI’s Albert Santoli.

He said contributors to AAI's Education and Livelihood activities in the second peace caravan include, Unilever Corporation, Universal Robina Corporation, Nestle, SM Supermarkets, the Franklin Fund, the Strake Foundation, MedPharm and numerous college and university student organizations.

Tan said the H.E.L.P. is a mechanism designed to address the needs of communities in crisis due to the prevailing conflict in the area. He said the H.E.L.P initiative is also aimed at consulting with the local communities on their medium and long term concerns particularly on livelihood and employment aspect.

“We are consistent with our programs and we hope to help as much people in the second H.E.L.P. peace caravan. This is what we wanted to show the world, the good things we are doing and the efforts of this government to bring peace and development to Sulu province.”

“We ask the help of the media to spread the good news and not picture Sulu as strife-torn or haven for terrorists. Sulu is a beautiful place and we have a rich culture and heritage and as am matter of fact, the Yuchengo Museum in Makati is currently holding an exhibit about our colorful past and historical artifacts,” Tan said.

Tan was referring to the the exhibit dubbed “Beyond the Currents: The Culture and Power of Sulu,” at the Cone Gallery which runs until July 23.

Aside from artifacts, the exhibit also displays an interesting collection of documents, like treaties written in both English and Arabic. These treaties embody the negotiating points between the Sulu sovereign and the various imperial powers of the time.

Last year, Tan launched the "Fruits of Hope program" in partnership with the AAI and the Philippine National Red Cross and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Fruits of Hope program was a model for reconciliation and terror prevention through creating livelihood opportunities in agricultural and fisheries-based communities. Because of the program, Sulu was able to shipped about six tons of assorted fruits bought from farmers and agricultural cooperatives and sold to supermarkets in Manila. (Mindanao Examiner)

Be A Part Of Change, Help The Children!

MANILA, Philippines - Boknoy, nine-year old with his father, 40, watched the violent conflict between the state and the non-state armed groups through TV.

Boknoy asked his Tatay, "Tay when you're still like me, was our place like this?" His Tatay looked at him and answered, "Somehow. But this is worse than before." Boknoy is in silent for a long moment and then asked again, "What have you done? Did you not try to be like Zaido or Lastikman?"

In the eyes of a child caught in a suffering community of violence, there could be possibility to see himself or herself as a hero. Maybe "Zaido" of GMA or "Lastikman" of ABS-CBN. In the midst of this suffering peace situation, by his little understanding, Boknoy has imagined many times being Zaido or Lastikman to end the war, or maybe just to have fun.

When you know what attracts a child, they say, and you see it would help in his/her growing up, then make use of it to mold him/ her. It is in this light that the Asia and American Initiative, Inc - Philippines (AAI) is a part of the HELP Humanitarian Caravan initiated by the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), which seeks to let communities, especially the children feel the presence of love and support of the government and the people surround them.

In four villages of municipalities in Sulu and in Basilan of around 3,000 kids, AAI will try to bring out the "heroes and fun" in those children through fun activities and fun games with the help of our invited supporters.

AAI is inviting you and your company to join us as we raise funds for AAI's KIDDIE FUN DAY which includes magic show, face painting and balloon art. AAI will bring mascots as they party in a new world of peace they may not have seen or felt before.

HELP Humanitarian Caravan will simply bring a new world, a peaceful community and a hopeful tomorrow to our young generation.

Tatay and Nanay always want the best and the good for their children. Help us be a Tatay or a Nanay to those kids on April 15-17 in Basilan and on April 20-22 in Sulu. Please keep in touch with us before March 31 through the contact details provided. We are most willing if we could discuss your proposed help with us.

Contact Persons: Sheena Acero or Neil Erich Galicia
Asia America Initiative, Inc. - Philippines
Unit 2009 Medical Plaza Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City, Philippines
Telephone: (02) 816 3305
Fax: (02) 816 2613
Mobile: 0917 522 2808 or 0906 239 3753
E-mail: acero_aai@yahoo.com or galicia_aai@yahoo.com

Appeal from Rohaniza M. Sumndad
Philippines Officer-in-Charge and Program Coordinator

Sample of donations:- Food (eg. cupcakes, tetra-pack juices, biscuits, noodles, cereals, canned goods, powdered milk)- Toys (eg. cars, action figures like Superman or Batman, dolls)- Toiletries (eg. shampoo, bath soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, powder, cotton) - Party Hats- Clothes (eg, shirts)- Volunteers (eg. face painters, clowns/ magicians, mascots, balloon artists)- Monetary (cash or check payable to Asia America Initiative, Inc BPI Family Bank Legaspi Amorsolo Branch Acct No. 6735-0500-34)