Japanese Ambassador Makoto Kastura and Muslim Youth Religious Organization, Inc. President Johnny Guine Balawag signed the grant contract for “ The Project for Providing Relief Assistance to the Internally Displace d Persons (IDPs) affected by Armed Conflict in the Province of Maguindanao ” at the Embassy of Japan on 24 December 2008.
The project, amounting to a total of US$ 81,853 (approximately PhP3.9M), will be funded through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). This project will benefit 15,000 people (or about 3,000 families) in the m unicipalities of Datu Piang and Datu Saudi Ampatuan, who have fled their homes since the armed-conflict escalated in the Province of Maguindanao in August 2008.
In the two municipalities, more than 60,000 persons or equivalent to 11,500 families were forced to leave their homes and livelihood resources to escape the continued fighting in their communities. Until the situation becomes more stable, these people are expected to stay in evacuation centers, such as schools, mosques, warehouses and makeshift tents. However, the prolonged stay of the IDPs in the congested evacuation centers has exposed them to various health and sanitation problems especially among the children and elderly.
Under these circumstances, the Muslim Youth Religious Organization, Inc. sought assistance from the Embassy of Japan. The Embassy decided to provide 3,000 mats, 6,000 blankets, 3,000 mosquito nets, 3,000 jerry cans (water containers) and 1,500 plastic sheets for tents to improve the present condition of the IDPs.
Overall, this project forms part of the Government of Japan's steadfast commitment to support peace and development initiatives for Mindanao since the launching of the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BIRD) in December 2006.
