THE PROGRAMME
The Multi-Donor Programme Phase 3 or
MDP3 is the United Nations' (UN) commitment towards the peace process in
Southern Philippines. It started out with the aim of assisting in the realization
of the Peace Agreement signed by the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines (GRP) and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in 1996.
A champion of world peace, the UN was the first to respond to the provisions of the Peace Agreement aiming to put a halt to the decades old internal war in Southern Philippines. MDP3 approaches "Strenghtening of the Foundations of Lasting Peace and Development in Southern Philippines" through partnership and institution-building, peace advocacy, and developing the community's capacity for self-governance thereby empowering communities to access basic social services, sustain economic enterprise, and implement livelihood projects (both agriculture-based and off-farm). All these are done while still swiftly delivering relief and rehabilitation projects to areas where sporadic violent conflicts erupt.
THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (RH) COMPONENT
This Programme component aims to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life in the Peace and Development Communities (PDCs) through better Reproductive Health. It has the following objectives: 1) To increase utilization of adequate, integrated and quality Reproductive Health services by women, men and adolescents in the PDCs; and 2) To bring about behavioral changes regarding healthy reproductive and sexual practices through knowledge and counseling services and the provision of gender-sensitive RH information.
The component has four output areas: 1) provision of quality RH services; 2) enhancement of the technical capacity of health service providers and community volunteers backstopping the PDCs for the provision of RH information and services; 3) improved knowledge and awareness among women, men and adolescents of the PDCs on RH issues and concerns; and 4) enhanced institutional capacity in planning, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation of RH programs and IEC and advocacy activities.
As of the end of 2002, the Programme through this component has generated the RH profiles of 96 of its 100 target PDCs; constructed five (5) Barangay Health Stations in partnership with the Project on Community Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Development component; trained 515 Health Service Providers; community organizations for RH IEC formed and corresponding IEC plans developed; 90 Muslim Religious Leaders trained and tapped for IEC activities; and RH plans have been formulated for inclusion into the Barangay Plans in 61 PDCs.
THE MINDANAO SITUATION FEBRUARY 2003
Massive displacement has again occurred in Central Mindanao particularly in the Provinces of Cotabato and Maguindanao. Hardest hit municipalities are Pikit in Cotabato Province and Pagalungan in Maguindanao. The displacement is reportedly due to the recent skirmishes between the military and armed groups initially in the Liguasan Marsh area but has now spread to many parts in Mindanao.
As of February 26, 2003, the number of evacuees or Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has gone up to around 26,000 families or more than a hundred thousand individuals. In Pikit town in the Province of Cotabato alone, 6,502 families or a total of 37,996 individuals still remain in the 31 evacuation centers. In Maguindanao, about 96,000 individuals (DSWD ARRMM data) have been displaced.
The MDP3 has extended most of its assistance to the IDPs now in different evacuation centers in Pikit and to several municipalities in the Province of Maguindanao.
PROGRAMME INTERVENTIONS
The component's intervention is focused on the health and medical needs of the IDPs, especially pregnant women. As of February 28, 2003, the component has provided the following assistance to the IDPs:
Mass immunization against measles for 1,919 and deworming of 260 children in Pikit Evacuation Centers.
Monitoring of reproductive health needs of women: there are 91 pregnant women in Pikit Evacuation Centers; 14 of these women had normal deliveries at the Emergency Relief and Medical Centers attended to by Rural health Midwives and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) trained by the Programme; two gave birth through caesarian operation facilitated at the main centers (RHUs) ; and,two cases of abortions caused by stress and anxieties were also attended to.
Setting-up and maintenance of Emergency Relief and Medical Centers in three of the major evacuation centers in Pikit. Services include the provision of medicines and medical supplies; mobilization of health workers who provide medical assistance 24 hours a day; and, linkaging with the Rural Health Units for cases that need doctors' attention. To date, the Centers have attended to 9,737 cases. Leading causes of complaints are: upper and lower respiratory tract infections, skin diseases, diarrhea, infected wounds, and headache and nausea due to inadequate protection from cold and heat in the evacuation centers. There have been 12 deaths, mostly caused by pneumonia and dehydration secondary to measles and diarrhea. Total admissions in the medical centers is 123.
The medical assistance provided is in partnership with the Provincial Health Office of Cotabato. The said office monitors, supervises and is fielding volunteers at the Emergency and Medical Centers. These centers are presently located at the Buisan, Macabual and Lagundi evacuation centers, all in Pikit town and are still in need of medicines and medical supplies.
APPEAL for ASSISTANCE
The Programme has provided, in its limited capacity: mobilization of its personnel and staff and direct support in terms of goods, services and utilities to help respond to the situation. Other humanitarian organizations and the Government have also been actively working in the area to provide assistance to the IDPs. But the need is overwhelming. The number of IDPs is increasing everyday and there is yet no indication that they could soon go back to their places of origin and lead normal lives. Humanitarian assistance received is not adequate to maintain this number of people.
The United Nations, through its various partners and through its Mindanao Programme can provide the system and the direct link to the intended beneficiaries.
The GOP - United Nations Multi-Donor Programme Offices:
Givfrell Building, Gov. Gutierrez Avenue,
Cotabato City Tel. No. (064) 421-8902 Fax No. (064) 421-8906
SLSI Building, San Jose Road, Zambaonga City Tel. No. (062) 992 2216 Fax
No. (062) 992 3089
2nd Floor, Llido Building, Santiago Blvd., Gen. Santos City Tel. No. (083)
553 - 2870 Fax No. (083) 553-2872
Or through:
Ramon M. Flores, Programme Coordinator, (0917) 7064158
Ma. Melissa Miranda-Poot, MD
Reproductive Health Component Manager, (0917) 7260665