MANILA, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) vowed on Thursday that it will continue to support the Philippines in rehabilitating and treating the thousands of displaced people affected by the conflict in southern Philippine city of Marawi.
"The ICRC will continue to be one of the active partners of the Department of Health (DOH), supporting its efforts in providing the much needed medical assistance to the people affected by the conflict," said Jose Amigo, the health coordinator of the ICRC in the Philippines.
The ICRC has been working closely with the DOH since the fighting between government troops and terror group Maute militants broke out on May 23 in the southern city of Marawi in Lanao del Sur. The skirmishes are continuing, killing nearly 200 militants, civilians, soldiers and policemen.
The Philippines faces more challenges in dealing with the displaced residents, many of them women and children. And the start of the rainy season may add burden to the thousands of displaced people.
The ICRC has observed an increase in the number of reported cases of diarrhea, upper respiratory infection, hypertension and fever in different health facilities providing medical assistance to the displaced residents, particularly those who are staying in evacuation centers.
In support of the local health units' efforts to address this concern, Amigo said the ICRC has been working closely with hospitals and other facilities within and around Marawi City to augment their existing capacity.
