1,500 Marawi Internally Displaced Families, Shine Bright!

SHINE BRIGHT! This captures the vibrant atmosphere during RAFI’s Marawi Crisis Response- October 24-November 4, distribution of 1,500 WakaWaka Power+ to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and families in various evacuation centers hosted by local government units (LGUs) and home-based IDPs along Lake Lanao– municipalities of Bubong, Ditsaan-Ramain, Mulondo, Poona Bayabao, Piagapo, Bayang, and Tugaya. Also, Municipalities of Balabagan, Kapatagan and Malabang, Lanao Del Sur; Pantar, Saguiaran and Balo-i municipalities in Lanao Del Norte; and Marawi and Iligan cities. WakaWaka is a Swahili word meaning “Shine Bright.”

For almost five months since they fled their homes in Marawi City because of armed conflict, these families had difficulty accessing electricity- sadly, they live in the dark specially at night. And they are seldom reached by humanitarian agencies.

“We, at RAFI, hopes to bring not just light in the evacuation centers but more so bright light of hope, peace, improve lives, and resiliency to your family, to your community (in the evacuation center), and when you go back to Marawi City. Insha’Allah!,” shares Chris Estallo, RAFI’s Program Head for Humanitarian and Disaster Preparedness and Response. He felt that these IDPs were less prioritised and good thing that they were hosted by LGUs, however, LGUs resources can only do us much. “My heart breaks for them, seeing children, pregnant women, elderly, persons with special needs in dilapidated madrasas, multipurpose hall, and unsafe scanty spaces that serves as their refuge,” Estallo commented.

“Walo ang mga anak ko, Sama-sama kami, dalawpu’t anim kami ditto natutulog sa maliit na lugar. Mahirap ang sitwasyon namin dito lalo sa gabi. Madilim sa gabi! Walang ilaw, ang mga bata kawawa. Kailangan ko pumunta ng bayan para mag-charge ng cellphone –magbayag ng P10 at pumila ng mahaba. Salamat sa solar lights na ito,” said Nasser with 8 children in Malabang evacuation center.

The distribution was made possible through the assistance of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), also known as the UN Refugee Agency; and the Community and Family Services International (CFSI), a humanitarian organisation committed to peace and social development, with a particular interest in the psychosocial dimension.

In an email to RAFI, UNHCR Program Officer Cliff Alvarico said, “UNHCR being the cluster lead for coordination of protection response salutes RAFI for reaching out and for being receptive to suggestion coming from us and or CFSI. We believe that we can do more in working together.” Cliff concurrently heads the UNHCR’s response to the Marawi displacement crisis.

“Solar lights are one of the identified priority needs of the IDPs specially those staying in the municipalities without power supply. Indeed, all of us from Mindanao are motivated to do more and do better because of individual and groups like RAFI are willing to extend a helping hand. We look forward for the continued collaboration for the protection of our IDPs,” shared Noraida Abdullah Karim, CFSI’s Deputy Director for Philippine Programme.

The WakaWaka Power+ is a rugged, super-efficient solar-powered charger and flashlight. After a single day in the sun the WakaWaka Power+ will charge practically any phone or provide up to 150 hours of bright light. That makes the devise the most efficient solar-powered device around and true lifesaver for anyone in need of electricity. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) donated these solar lights to RAFI for Typhoon Yolanda response in 2013. Since then, these became RAFI’s core relief item in their emergency response; and were recently distributed to earthquake-affected families in Ormoc City and Kananga, Leyte.