In view of a local election scheduled for 29 October, a statutory ban on government activities such as public works, development work and the distribution of items such as relief goods 45 days before and after election day (to avoid partisan campaign election issues) may mean that only the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) and the ICRC, recognized for their independence, neutrality and impartiality, will be authorized to distribute assistance to the victims of the conflict between September and December 2007.

How is the humanitarian situation evolving on the ground?

In the wake of the insecurity spawned by the incident on 10 July and the ensuing armed clashes, over 2,250 families (approximately 12,000 people) of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have, so far, been recorded in Basilan, while an estimated 2,000 families of IDPs are in Sulu, many of whom were displaced since April 2007 due to separate clashes between the AFP and the other Islamist insurgency group in Mindanao, the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF). The displacement in Basilan is mainly local, as most IDPs are moving to neighbouring villages and are housed by the resident population.

What assistance is the ICRC providing in response to the armed clashes and the resulting displacements?

After the initial assessments of the situation in between the fighting, the ICRC provided medical materials to fighters in the Sulu and Basilan conflict areas with the PNRC providing blood to the hospitals receiving the wounded.

For civilian victims, the ICRC has been providing medical assistance, including supplying antibiotics and vaccines as well as paying medical bills.

The PNRC and ICRC are constantly monitoring the IDP situation and providing relief assistance according to the emergency needs identified on the islands of Sulu and in Basilan. On 28 and 29 August 2007, emergency assistance (including rations of rice, sardines, noodles, sugar, coffee and soap) was distributed to 885 displaced families in Basilan and 906 displaced families in Sulu. The ICRC is also supporting the PNRC branch in Basilan with stocks of essential non-food items and emergency medical supplies (including, so far, tarpaulins, water jerrycans, boxes of medical supplies, dressing material and fluids).

What is the security situation of the affected civilian population in Basilan and Sulu?

The civilians in areas where clashes are likely are exposed to direct consequences of the armed conflict. They might be wounded and their property can suffer damage, depriving them of their means of subsistence. Most often they abandon their homes and their livelihoods out of fear for long periods. Many of these displaced families already live either below or at the brink of the poverty threshold, and thus the loss of their means to earn income makes them extremely vulnerable.

Living conditions in the first stages of displacement and without adequate access to water and sanitation expose them to illnesses such as diarrhoea. The children cannot attend school and the economic consequences of the displacement set the families back several years in terms of development and recovery capacity.

What are the immediate needs of the armed conflict victims in Basilan and Sulu at this time?

At the IDP camps, food and safe water supply, as well as sanitation concerns are among the top priorities. In addition, hospitals are not always sufficiently equipped to cope with the increased influx of war wounded. The PNRC has received training and materials from ICRC to respond to the above-mentioned needs in terms of water and habitat.

The ICRC has also conducted an evaluation of the means to treat the wounded at the hospitals receiving the injured fighters and civilians. It has set aside medical supplies that will serve to support the treatment of the wounded from all sides.

What has the ICRC done to address the general situation of armed conflict in the Philippines?

The ICRC in the Philippines has increased its presence and humanitarian activities last year in order to address more adequately the humanitarian consequences faced by the victims of armed conflict and mobilize other national stakeholders. In January 2007 it opened an office in Zamboanga, helping to facilitate access to Muslim communities in the provinces of Sulu and Basilan. These communities are frequently subject to armed clashes that take place near their homes and are forced to flee on repeated occasions.