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CLASHES between government troops and rebels have left 87 dead on the Philippines’ island of Mindanao.
More than 85,000 people fled fighting after 1,000 buildings were torched and 100 civilians taken hostage as human shields.
Aid agency Plan International is supplying hygiene and water kits to 1,000 families, with water and medicine also priorities at shelters.
“We are concerned about the thousands of families affected by armed conflict and will be monitoring the situation closely,” says Plan’s country director in the Philippines Carin van der Hor.
“Community-based interventions are necessary to ensure ownership and sustainability.”
Trouble flared after 200 members of the renegade separatist Moro National Liberation Front stormed Zamboanga City demanding to hoist their flag.
Cramped evacuation centres are short of water, food, mats, blankets and medicine, among other essential items.
Plan has worked in the Philippines for more than 50 years with extensive experience in responding to natural disasters and other crises.
The charity deploys teams of experts to help deliver clean water, food, medical supplies, educational resources and psychosocial support.
“We’ve provided humanitarian support to people displaced due to armed conflicts in Basilan, Zamboanga Sibugay and Maguindanao in the recent past,” says Ms van der Hor.
“Plan is also recognised for its expertise in protecting emergency-affected children from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and violence."
For more information on Plan’s work or to make a donation call 0800 526 848 or visit www.plan-uk.org
