The people of Mindanao have long been hit by cycles of violent conflict and displacement, and these have intensified in the past decade. “All Out War” in 2000 and hostilities in 2008 each led to the displacement of nearly a million individuals. Tens of thousands were displaced by military operations in 2003 and, more recently, thousands of families had to leave their homes when fighting escalated in parts of Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan in October 2011.

Summary

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, presents her fourth report to the Human Rights Council, submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 7/8 and 16/5.

In chapter II of the report, the Special Rapporteur provides an account of her activities during the reporting year. She draws the attention of Member States to the 234 communications sent under the mandate during the past year. More detailed information on the communications is contained in addendum 2 (A/HRC/19/55/Add.2) to the present report.

29 Dec 2011

By Crislyn Felisilda

Over a week has passed, and I feel I’ve had the busiest hours with World Vision after Typhoon Washi struck in Northern Mindanao - my home. I knew there was a typhoon coming, and I was even monitoring our areas. But like the weather experts and forecasters, I was stunned upon beholding the aftermath of Washi’s force and fury. Besides, it struck at the dead of night where many were caught asleep. Alas, I couldn’t believe what I’ve seen. As a humanitarian worker, I knew I should keep going.

CRS is partnering with the U.S. Agency for International Development(USAID) in responding to the flood victims of Tropical Storm Washi in the Philippines, providing vital emergency supplies, including water and items for personal hygiene. CRS has installed 5 water tanks and is now supplying water to two evacuation centers .

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today urged the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to take drastic action against governments of the most dangerous countries for media after it published its annual list of 106 journalists and media personnel killed in 2011. The Federation says 2011 has been another bloody year for media and blames governments' failure to uphold their international obligations for the ongoing violence targeting media.

(Extract)

4 . COST OF DAMAGES (TAB D)

• The estimated cost of damages to infrastructure, agriculture and school buildings amounted to PhP1,393,559,013.50
  Infrastructure - PhP 1,111,522,305.50
  Agriculture - PhP 282,036,708.00

5 . STATUS OF LIFELINES

Electric Power supply

• 98% of the power supply in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan Cities was restored

Water supply

Manila, Dec. 31 - The national government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, signed on Friday a number of Memorandum of Agreements (MOA) with the Provincial Governments of Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan and Sulu to formalize their partnership under PAMANA or Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan program (Peaceful and Resilient Communities).