Marawi Crisis Response

June 5, 2017

 

Jonathan Wilson, Executive Director

An ongoing armed conflict in Marawi, Lanao del Sur started on 23 May 2017 between Philippine government security forces and militants of the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups. The ISIS- supported militants burned churches, Christian schools and the jail and executed those who could not recite verses from the Koran. Most of the 200,000 residents of the city have fled the violence and are in evacuation centers or staying with friends or relatives in the neighboring areas.

Existing Needs:

  • 3 evacuation centers in Sta. Elena, Maria Cristina and Boron School of Fisheries are all overcrowded, lack supplies, toilets and medical care.
  • None of the evacuation centers have set up child-friendly spaces.
  • Psycho-social-spiritual needs – all are traumatized especially children and women and especially the last to get out of Marawi City.
  • Educational needs: all school-aged children need school supplies, uniforms and bags when they are able to return back to school.
  • Emotional care for pastors and Christian workers responding to the crisis.

Request:

  • Funding support for OperationSAFE child trauma camps for children in the evacuation camps. (currently 1500 children but expected to expand to 3000) @ $30,000
  • Pastoral Care / Chaplaincy team to be sent to the Philippines.
  • Cooperation with supplying school supplies, uniforms and bags for children.

We are appealing to Christians all over the globe to help us meet the needs of survivor-evacuees.

You may use your credit card or access PayPal to help families who’ve fled the fighting in Malawi City. Please click the donate button on the OperationSAFE webpage on the GLINTS website for donation instructions. Thanks in advance.

Update (June 5, 2017)

The first OpSAFE camp was held in an evacuation center in Iligan with 52 children in attendance. Pray for OpSAFE leaders that they may be of comfort to children and that many more children will be able to attend OpSAFE camps.

Evacuation centers are filled to over capacity. Pray that evacuees experience peace in the midst of this extreme trial.


GLINTS
Address: PO BOX 962, Wheaton, IL 60187-0962
Phone: (630) 923-3761
Email: info@glints.org