Philippines: Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur Provinces Displacement Overview (February 2016)

Successive clashes between the Government forces and armed groups in Maguindanao province have displaced over 5,000 families (25,000 people) as of 25 February.

Fighting began on 5 February in the municipality of Datu Salibo and spread to the neighbouring Datu Saudi Ampatuan and Sharif Aguak municipalities. The majority (4,300 families or 21,500 people) of the displaced people are staying in nine evacuation sites in these municipalities while the rest are staying with relatives and friends. Five civilians were wounded including a boy and a girl.

On 21 February, another round of firefights erupted between the military and armed groups in Butig municipality of Lanao del Sur province. Continuous fighting displaced an estimated 6,200 families (31,200 people) as of 29 February.

Local authorities at the regional, provincial and municipal levels provided food packs and established emergency health clinics for the displaced people in the two provinces and continue to monitor the situation. The security situation in the affected municipalities remains volatile and may prolong displacement.