THE AMERICAN government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is giving an additional P296.2 million for the recovery work in and around Marawi City, Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski announced Saturday. This fund, which is on top of the previous P1.4 billion committed aid, is specifically intended to promote the role and inclusion of women in the Marawi rehabilitation program. Mr. Klecheski pointed out that women have been “disproportionately impacted by the conflict in Marawi” as he stressed their important role in peace-building and security. The project includes promotion of women leadership against extremism, livelihood training, and water and sanitation.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) distributed multipurpose cash grants of P8,000 each to 1,007 affected families last June 20-22. “Many displaced families gained access to farmlands and basic tools with the help of relatives. But insufficient funds to buy farm supplies forced them to take loans at a higher interest rate,” Dragana Rankovic, who heads the ICRC team on relief and livelihood assistance, said in a statement released Friday. ICRC, along with the Philippine Red Cross, have been assisting Marawi residents since May last year when the siege that lasted for about five months broke out. — Camille A. Aguinaldo and Mindanao Bureau

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