Humanitarian aid reaches Marawi evacuees through peace corridor

MANILA, Philippines — Relief teams on Thursday used a 'peace corridor' secured by government troops and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to bring relief supplies and medical aid to displaced Marawi residents in Lanao del Sur.

 

The Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process said humanitarian aid reached evacuees in Malabang, Madamba, Bubong, Masiu, Marantao and Ditsain Ramain.

 

OPAPP said food aid was distributed by the United Bangsamoro Humanitarian Assistance in coordination with the MILF's Bangsamoro Development agency.

 

"The ARMM Regional Command Center facilitated the deployment of medical doctors and supplies of the International Committee on the Red Cross in Tamparan, Lanao del Sur," OPAPP also said.

 

The peace corridor for the flow of humanitarian aid is separate from another corridor for the rescue of civilians still trapped in Marawi City and the recovery of bodies from the besieged city.

 

The corridors run from Malabang to Marawi City, a distance of around 70 kilometers.

 

Irene Santiago, chair of the government implementing panel for the Bangsamoro Peace Accords and who has been heading relief efforts in coordination with the MILF, said the corridor for humanitarian aid is separate 

 

The peace corridor, which President Rodrigo Duterte has approved, is a joint effort of the government and MILF peace implementing panels. The two panels have put up Joint Coordinating, Monitoring and Assistance Centers in Marawi and Malabang.

 

The centers coordinate with the ARMM, Lanao del Sur provincial government and security forces on the distribution and delivery of aid.