
In cooperation with local partner organisations, JRS offers support to people who have been forcibly displaced within the country due to violent conflicts. In 2011, JRS Philippines served 125 persons, providing livelihood assistance to 105 and undertaking advocacy work for the rest.
After the collapse of peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) on 5 August 2008, heavy fighting between the government and MILF displaced a wave of civilians. Although many families have already returned home since the ceasefire in 2009, many have remained in evacuation centres or with relatives and friends.
Fear of being caught in the crossfire between government and MILF forces, as well as tension between ethnic groups, discourage many internally displaced persons (IDPs) from returning home. Some claim that the presence of armed forces in villages among returnee populations makes the whole community a potential target in the event of renewed conflict.
In addition, IDPs have said there is little hope of economic prosperity in their home villages. Their livelihoods and properties have been destroyed and, over time, their homes have become uninhabitable. Those who wish to return home are asking for assistance, and others who have nothing to return to are seeking new places to settle.
Asia Pacific
Fr. Bambang A. Sipayung SJ
apdirector@jrs.or.th
+66 2 640 9590
http://www.jrsap.org
JRS Asia Pacific is one of 10 geographic regions of the Jesuit Refugee Service. JRS offers a human and pastoral service to refugees and the communities who host them through a wide range of rehabilitation and relief activities. Services – including programmes of pastoral care, education for children and adults, social services and counselling, and healthcare - are tailored to meet local needs according to available resources. The regional office serves refugees and other displaced persons in Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste.
Philippines: Laguna Lake residents weather the storm
Laguna Lake, 13 November 2012 — Communities around Laguna Lake, just east of the capital, Manila, are still suffering from the aftermath of flooding from a succession of tropical storms, the latest of which, Typhoon Ofel, hit the country late last month.
>>>
Philippines: Laguna Lake residents weather the storm
Laguna Lake, 8 November 2012 — Communities around Laguna Lake, a 911 sq. km freshwater lake east of Metro Manila, continue to suffer flooding and displacement from a succession of tropical storms that hit the country this month, rounding off with Typhoon Ofel on 29 October.
>>>
Philippines: super typhoon survivors turning debris to income
Mangayao Langgoyo, Philippines, 5 February, 2012 – Just a few weeks ago, the Kamanga riveushed down so hard and swept away the soil where the community mosque, solar drier, and 50 houses stood and changed the landscape. Meanwhile, families continue to collect stones and carefully sort the rocks from pebbles to make a living and begin rebuilding.
>>>
Philippines: appeal for assistance for flood victims
(Mindanao) January 19, 2012 – Just days before Christmas, more than 100,000 families' holiday season and hopes for the new year were washed away with the flash flood that struck the northern coast of Mindanao, Philippines. A month later, tropical storm Washi has left the country devastated.
>>>
Philippines: urgent appeal for emergency assistance to the displaced in Mindanao
Mindanao, 16 January 2012 – Just days before Christmas, more than 100,000 families' holiday season and hopes for the new year were washed away with the flash flood that struck the northern coast of Mindanao, Philippines.
>>>
Philippines: flash flood kills thousands
Mindanao, 28 December 2011 – The flashflood came like a thief in the night engulfing houses and villages along the river and sweeping all into the sea. More than a thousand have died with another thousand more missing. Some bodies were found floating along the islands further up the northern coast of Mindanao. In Cagayan de Oro, unclaimed bodies were buried as the stench became unbearable and contamination a risk. A week after the disaster, there is still no running water in the city.
>>>
Philippines: flash flood kills thousands
Mindanao, 28 December 2011 – More than 380,000 people are suffering from floods wrought by storm 'Sendong' in the southeast of the Philippines. At least a thousand have died with another thousand still missing.
>>>
Philippines: grant-support help internally displaced persons start over
Mindanao, 8 April, 2011 – Close to a million people have been displaced in Mindanao since 2000 when then President Estrada declared an "all out war" on the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Eleven years later there is still no peaceful resolution to the conflict and many remain homeless, forced out of their villages by violence.
>>>
Philippines: Starting over
Mindanao, 6 April, 2011 – One JRS livelihoods project in the Philippines inspires hope to those who have been displaced for more than a decade. With funds for farming, some are able to start their lives over.
>>>
Philippines: forcibly displaced struggle to be heard
Manila, 13 January 2011 – If you are a person displaced by the Moro conflict in the southern Philippines, chances are you not only struggle to survive but also to be heard.
>>>
Philippines: Struggle to be heard
Manila,13 January 2011 – If you are a person displaced by the Moro conflict in southern Philippines, chances are you not only struggle to survive but also to be heard.
>>>
Australia
Cambodia
Indonesia
Malaysia
Papua New Guinea
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Ethiopia
Kenya
South Sudan
Sudan
Uganda
Belgium
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Croatia
France
Germany
Ireland
Italy
Macedonia
Malta
Portugal
Romania
Slovenia
Sweden
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Burundi
Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Colombia
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Haiti
Panama
Venezuela
Jordan
Syria
Turkey
Afghanistan
India
Nepal
Sri Lanka
Angola
Katanga Province, DRC
Malawi
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Canada
United States of America
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Côte d’Ivoire