DSWD assures sufficient food supplies for evacuees in Zambo conflict

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday assured regular provision of food and assistance to rising number of displaced families currently sheltered in evacuation centers in Zamboanga City affected by the one-week armed conflict.

In its twitter account, the DSWD disclosed that as of 2 p.m. Monday, about 16,473 families or 81,806 individuals have been affected by the on-going clash between government forces and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

About 13,028 families equivalent to 67,845 individuals are still staying in 24 evacuation centers situated therein.

The Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex still has the biggest number of family-evacuees with 9,065 families or 50,343 individuals.

The DSWD said it tapped local catering groups and food service providers to ensure regular provision of food to the increasing number of evacuees inside the Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports Complex.

According to DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman, the Department had stepped up measures to ensure sufficient supply of food will be regularly given by tapping local food providers to assist in food preparation in addition to the food provided by the community kitchens established by the city government.

Soliman said she had instructed the DSWD Field Office IX for the continuous procurement of ready-to-eat food from partnered food service providers like Chinitos, Whoopee Burger House, Sunflower Food Center, and small canteens.

"This is to ensure the timely and orderly provision of meals to the evacuees with the elderly, children, and pregnant women as priorities," she said.

"Starting today (Monday), DSWD will provide 80,000 packed foods to the evacuees in the Grandstand to be delivered by the mentioned food providers (40,000 for lunch and another 40,000 for dinner),"she added.

Soliman also noted that the city government is also providing 12,000 packed foods per mealtime while the International Committee of the Red Cross committed to shoulder another 10,000 packed food for dinner.

On Sunday, DSWD, through Chinitos, Whoopee Burger House, Sunflower Food Center, and small canteens has provided 16,500 packed meals for lunch and dinner with a total cost of P825,000.

Breakfast on Monday was prepared by the established community kitchens where 24 sacks of rice and 20 cases of corned beef were consumed.


Soliman is still in Zamboanga City to oversee the relief operations to victims of the more than a week of armed conflict between government forces and rogue elements of the MNLF.

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/index.php?article=2131379349154