Social Welfare and Development Secretary Dinky Soliman who is still in Zamboanga City  today to check on the situation of the evacuees  said  that  repacking of more relief goods at the DSWD Region IX compound is on-going to address the increasing need  for food assistance as more families are being displaced by the on-going clash between the military and the Moro National Liberation Front.

Secretary Soliman said that as of 10 am today, 3,494 families composed of 16,118 persons have been affected by the incident. Of this number, 3,181 families with 14,859 persons are still staying in the 13 evacuation centers  around the city.

As of press time, estimated total cost of assistance to displaced families is P3.5 million from the combined resources of the DSWD with P1.2 million, Zamboanga City LGU with P1.0 million, and  Civil Society Organizations P1.3 million.

Secretary Soliman added that the World Food Programme (WFP) donated 800 boxes of high energy biscuits for children and senior-evacuees. Likewise, Air 21 donated  20 units of portalets. Airlifting of the biscuits and the portalets started last night, and will be completed today.
DSWD  Region IX  social workers continue to assist the local social workers in managing the evacuation centers and the three kitchen soups.  Children-evacuees also continue to be provided  with play therapy

The DSWD also deployed a social worker to attend to the needs of the  four children and an adult who was  rescued.

Secretary Soliman will still be in Zamboanga City until tomorrow to ensure that the needs of the affected families are addressed. ###