SURIGAO DEL SUR – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga provided relief assistance to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who evacuated from their residence at Sitio Ibuan, Barangay Mampi in Lanuza to seek refuge when an alleged New People’s Army (NPA) terrorists from GFC – 30, NEMRC harassed and threatened them at around 12:20 in the afternoon last February 21, 2018.
A total of 209 lumad families or 867 persons who are currently staying at Barangay Gymansium of Agsam in the town were provided with 420 family food packs amounting to Php128,998.80. The agency also provided non-food items such as malongs and blankets worth Php65,100.00.
On the same day, the local government of Lanuza in partnership with the 36th Infantry Battalion (IB) conducted relief distribution to the evacuees.
OIC Regional Director assures the public that the Field Office, through Disaster Response Assistance Management Unit (DReaMU), is constantly monitoring the situation of the IDPs and is closely coordinating with the Local Social Welfare and Development Office (LSWDO) and Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) for the provision of timely and continuous updates.
“We know the discomfort being felt by our lumad brothers and sisters who are temporarily taking shelter at the evacuation centers. The DSWD-Caraga assures that we shall extend necessary augmentation support to the LGU of Lanuza to ensure that humanitarian assistance is properly given,” she added. ###(SHERYL M. LORENZO/EUNICE M. MONTAOS/Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)
