A total of €800,000 or over P47 million in humanitarian assistance will be poured to Midnanao by the European Union (EU) to help address the problem of the raging coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic there.

According to a statement from the EU, the funds will benefit some 70,000 people living in the conflict-affected provinces south of the Philippines.

“The unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases threatens the lives and livelihoods of many in the Philippines, especially those living in remote areas like Mindanao where access to medical care can sometimes be limited,” said Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.

“This funding from the EU will ensure vulnerable and marginalised people receive vital health support to go through this difficult time," the EU official said.

The EU funding will support a consortium of partners on the ground--including Action Against Hunger, CARE International, and Oxfam International--in assisting the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination in Mindanao’s far-flung areas.

This includes facilitating access to the life-saving jabs and supporting local governments and health care authorities in implementing their inoculation campaign.

Lenarčič said the aid will also focus on improving hygiene practices while also ensuring that marginalised people in 19 municipalities across Mindanao better understand the benefits of vaccination.

Since early August, the Philippines has experienced a drastic surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide due to the more tranmissible Delta variant. On September 11, the country recorded its highest single-day new case count of 26,303.

The EU said the sharp increase in cases has posed a serious threat to the country’s stretched healthcare system.

It said that the southern conflict-torn region of Mindanao is of particular concern due to its already poor healthcare system. Many marginalised groups, such as indigenous communities, displaced people, people with disabilities and the elderly, have very limited access to medical services.

Although the government plans to expand the vaccination rollout in the coming months outside of the capital, Manila, where most cases have been reported, the province of Mindanao is not listed amongst the priority regions, the EU noted.