As the world commemorates World Refugee Day on Sunday, June 20, 2021, the Oxfam Philippines has joined other non-government organizations in calling for the immediate end of violence and hostilities in the Bangsamoro region, especially in Sulu, Basilan, Maguindanao and Tawi-Tawi, where armed conflicts are occurring.

“More than 15,000 families have lost their homes and livelihoods in armed conflict areas in the Bangsamoro region in recent months. While most people are asked to stay at home to avoid exposure to the coronavirus, some were forced to flee their homes to save their lives,” Oxfam said in a statement posted on its website.

Oxfam, a non-government organization with 20 affiliated groups worldwide, pointed out that Filipinos should not be forced to choose between violence and exposure to the virus.

The organization said the cessation of hostilities would be a good opportunity to address the underlying causes of violence in Mindanao.

Oxfam’s latest statement is in support of a joint statement of civil society organizations and humanitarian agencies for the Bangsamoro Peace and Security Summit for Sustainable Local Development on May 24 calling for the suspension of military action of both government forces and non-state armed groups.

Among the steps suggested by the group is the promotion of peace dialogues among parties involve in armed conflict.

It also proposed the linking of peace-building efforts of various organizations to find solutions to address root causes of poverty and violence in the area in order to address the underlying causes of the armed conflict.

Moreover, it emphasized the need to involve the most affected people, especially women and girls, in decision-making.

Oxfam and its fellow civil society groups, in partnership with the local government units, have been providing life-saving support to families displaced by the armed conflict with food, water, sleeping materials, hygiene kits, and psychological first aid.

Oxfam Philippines and partners implemented cash transfer programs using digital financial services to improve the welfare of affected communities, hasten the delivery of social services, and boost local economies.

Aside from losing or having their homes damaged, tens of thousands of Filipinos in the Bangsamoro region are now facing food insecurity, poor sanitation, lack of livelihood and access to clean water and medical services.

Through Response to the Unmet Humanitarian Needs of the Most Vulnerable Conflict-Affected Populations in Mindanao (REACH) interventions, Oxfam and partner organizations Community Organizers Multiversity, United Youth of the Philippines-Women, and IDEALS Inc. funded by the EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) were able to deliver in-kind food assistance to almost 19,000 individuals or 3,767 internally displaced families in various municipalities in Maguindanao.