After int’l aid groups sound alarm, OCD denies humanitarian crisis in Marawi City

The Office of Civil Defense has denied that there is a humanitarian crisis in Marawi even after months of clashes with the ISIS-inspired Maute Group destroyed the city and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.

Assistant Secretary Kristoffer James Purisima, the OCD deputy administrator for administration, made the remark after aid groups warned that the needs of hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons were not being met.

“We do not think it’s a humanitarian crisis because we’re addressing the situation that’s happening," Purisima said at a briefing on the Mindanao situation in Malacañang on Friday.

"We know what’s happening on the ground and we’re addressing all the needs of our IDPs [internally displaced persons], whether they be in our evacuation centers or home-based ‘no,” he added.

“So makakaasa ho ang ating mga kababayan na hindi natin pinapabayaan ang sitwasyon sa ground and this is not a humanitarian crisis,” Purisima said.

Agence France-Presse reported that some representatives of humanitarian groups expressed concern on what they believe in a humanitarian crisis in Marawi after pro-ISIS Maute group attempted to seize the city on May 23.

Representatives of aid groups were quoted as saying that there were now one million displaced persons and that their basic needs were not being met.

One representative even said that the Philippines wasn't among countries in need of humanitarian assistance now in the radar international humanitarian groups.

Purisima said that Task Force Bangon Marawi, which is comprised of at least 23 agencies, had been busy post-conflict needs assessment for the IDPs.

“This is an inter-agency effort. Hindi lamang ito Office of Civil Defense, hindi lamang ito DND or DSWD or AFP. Lahat ito ng mga ahensya na kasama sa Task Force Bangon Marawi, 23 agencies and growing,” Purisima said.

“In fact, just yesterday, there was a meeting of the sub-committee on resource mobilization. Ina-identify na ‘yung priority needs, ‘yung priority areas na kailangan pondohan,” he added.

Government figures have it that nearly 400,000 have been displaced in Marawi City since the operation against the Maute began.

The government has earmarked P20 billion for the rehabilitation of Marawi City. —NB, GMA News