Attachments
HIGHLIGHTS
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97,000 people return to Marawi following the end of conflict; heavilydamaged areas remain off-limits
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IDPs and returnees lack access to adequate services, livelihoods
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USAID/OFDA provides support to vulnerable populations in Marawi and surrounding areas
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
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On October 23, the Government of the Philippines (GPH) announced the end of the five-month offensive against Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-affiliated armed groups in Marawi, the capital city of Lanao del Sur Province in the Philippines’ Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The GPH and relief actors are responding to continued humanitarian needs among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees. As of December 3, the GPH had registered nearly 354,000 IDPs.
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Of the 354,000 registered IDPs, approximately 97,000 had returned to Marawi as of December 10, according to the GPH Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). However, the GPH continues to restrict returns to the most-affected barangays—the smallest administrative divisions in the Philippines—due to widespread damage and destruction of homes and ongoing protection risks.
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Lack of basic services and livelihood opportunities in Marawi continue to hinder IDP returns. In addition, relief actors report that displaced populations residing in informal sites and host communities lack sufficient access to basic services.
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In FY 2017, USAID/OFDA provided $3 million to address the multi-sector needs of vulnerable populations in Marawi and neighboring areas, including through the provision of protection, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) assistance.