New Zealand Gives P18-M Humanitarian Assistance to Marawi

The New Zealand government is coursing an PHP18-million humanitarian assistance to the affected people in Marawi conflict, through the World Food Programme.

The announcement was made by New Zealand Ambassador David Strachan on Thursday, following the first year anniversary of the siege on Wednesday (May 23).

“New Zealand recognizes the magnitude of the challenges confronting the authorities in the Philippines and is committed to doing what it can to supplement the efforts of central and local government to help the displaced persons in Marawi,” the envoy said in a statement.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte imposed martial law for the entire Mindanao and cut his trip short in Russia on May 23 last year to supervise government efforts in quelling the Islamic State-inspired Maute group in Marawi City.

The city had been witness to numerous ground and air assaults, leaving large parts of the town destroyed and thousands of people displaced.

According to international child rights organization Save the Children, at least 23,000 families of the more than 350,000 displaced persons in Marawi have been able to return to their homes a year after the conflict. (PNA)