Fighting grips Philippine city

Fighting between government forces and an armed group in the Philippine city of Marawi left large numbers of people displaced and in need of help. In the first week of the fighting in May, the ICRC and the Philippine Red Cross distributed food rations, addressed water and sanitation issues and provided household and hygiene items for the displaced. As of early July, the ICRC had evacuated more than 700 people. The ICRC has also delivered large quantities of medical supplies to rural health units and hospitals that were overwhelmed by the influx of displaced people. “I’m just grateful because at least my family is complete and we’re safe,” said Casamudin Riga, a 51-year-old trader. “We hope that we can return to our homes soon and start again.”

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