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While the US financial crisis is having tremendous impact on various
countries in the world, it would not prevent the European
Commissions from donating hefty amounts for the victims of the
Mindanao conflict, Ambassador Alistair MacDonald of the European
Commission to the Philippines assured Monday.
Macdonald admitted that the US financial woes
are being felt in various countries such as EU member states like
Belgium, France, Netherlands, or Ireland, but argued that the
European Commission is always ready to help the Filipino people
caught up in natural or man-made disasters, especially in these
trying times.
“None of our projects are suspended,”
Macdonald, head of the delegation of the European Commission to the
Philippines said. “I don’t see any impact on our project because
we have already allotted for it until 2010,” MacDonald noted,
referring to the recent additional 3-million euro (P200-million)
grant approved by the Commission to address the problems of
civilians who have been repeatedly displaced by in-fighting over
recent years and are yet to lead a normal life. The project will be
implemented over a period of two years (2008 to 2010).
In fact, EU has also released the European
Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO), earmarked up to 4
million euros (approximately P270 million) for immediate assistance
for the people affected by the recent violent incidents in Mindanao.
The immediate funds will cover emergency food distribution, drinking
water and additional sanitation facilities, non-food relief items,
basic shelter assistance, health care and psychosocial support,
emergency support to livelihood rehabilitation and protection and
will be channeled various UN agencies, the International Red Cross,
and nongovernmental organizations.
In total, the EU has shelled out 7 million euros
(P470 million) for Mindanao for the next two years.
The lingering conflict between the government
forces and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) has already
displaced 400,000 civilians.
MacDonald also pointed out that cooperation
between organizations, including the government and the MILF, is
urgent at these times because resources for Mindanao aid are now
overstretched because of the war.
“I am optimistic that the war will end soon
because it’s the civilian victims caught in the crossfire who are
really in the losing end. Even the UN World Program’s supply is
being used to the hilt. We urge both parties involved to go back to
the negotiating table soon so that a sustainable peace could finally
be achieved,” the envoy said.
MacDonald said that a lasting peace would enable
the Mindanao people to realize their potential and would surely make
the South a development prospect.
“Peace and development are not only good for
Mindanao, it’s good for the whole Philippines,” he added.
-- Llanesca T. Panti
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