November 21, 2008

Ambassador Kristie Kenney visits IDP Camp in Maguindanao, Philippines

On November 21 U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney viewed critical health services being provided by ACDI/VOCA at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

USAID Mission Director Jon Lindborg, USAID Office of Health Chief Aye Aye Thwin, and World Food Program officials accompanied Ambassador Kenney to the Pilot Elementary School IDP Camp in Dato Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao. ACDI/VOCA’s involvement is through the Sustainable Health Improvements through Empowerment and Local Development (SHIELD) project.

Department of Health (DOH)-ARMM Secretary Dr. Tahir B. Sulaik, Maguindanao Provincial Health Officer Dr. Elizabeth Samama and the DOH-ARMM medical mission team welcomed the delegation and briefed them on the health situation and interventions for the 600 families temporarily living in the camp. The group observed “Operation Timbang,” which monitors the weight of the camp’s children, and the distribution of oral rehydration salts sachets and Vitamin A capsules to children under age five. These first-line health interventions help to prevent disease outbreaks and malnutrition.

Clashes between government forces and the Muslim separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao forced nearly 120,000 people from their homes in 2007 alone. Reports from the Department of Social Welfare and Development in ARMM show that 4,000 families remain in the evacuation centers in Maguindanao province of which 2, 369 are in Datu Piang, 1,044 in Mamasapano, 562 in Datu Saudi Ampatuan and 333 in Shariff Aguak.

During her visit, Ambassador Kenney addressed the media with a message of peace in the midst of conflict in Mindanao.

SHIELD is a comprehensive maternal and child health project that focuses on incorporating all sectors of society in promoting better health practices and services. For more information about the project, click here.