Filipinos displaced by on-going fighting to receive food assistance - WFP

Around 38,000 Filipinos affected by conflict in Marawi City are to receive food assistance thanks to a major contribution from Japan, said the World Food Program (WFP) on Tuesday.

Fighting has been raging across the city of 250,000, between government forces and pro-ISIL or Daesh militants, leaving hundreds dead and extensive damage to the city, according to news reports.

WFP Country Director Mats Persson said that the Japanese contribution of US$1.2 million would support ongoing relief operations in Mindanao, the southern island where Marawi City is located.

He said that "with this financial boost WFP can expand operations to directly provide around 38,000 displaced people with rice to complement the family packages and hygiene kits distributed by the government in the next three months."

More than two months after the armed conflict started in Marawi, WFP has distributed rice to more than 7,000 affected families.

SOURCE: UNRadio/ GBC