Demands of Minorities

Demand of

Minorities

Nurhashnie Curo Jannah Reeham Macaumbos

"Da labot iran rkami a daa tamok iyan", as stated by one of the victims of Marawi Siege. Anifah Pundato. The horrible event two years ago had defected her family's livelihood and created a huge downfall in her children's health and education. Mrs. Anifah is only one of the hundred recorded victims of the tragic crisis in Marawi. Their only choice is to rise up once again even though they struggle to survive, waiting for aid from the government. However, such nightmare did not end there when even the rehabilitation in Marawi City, particularly rebuilding infrastructures and road widening has made their family's mental and physical recovery even worse. These aforementioned industrial projects have deterred the supply of water and electricity within their area in Tuca. Due to this, their rice field is left dry and could not even cater a life. Mrs. Anifah and other IDPs residing along the skirts of ground zero have been forced to lead a life with such inconvenience. They raised their concerns with this matter but up until today, their voices are not heard in local offices. Mrs. Anifah said that this renovation led their only source of income stagnant hence they are now forced to rely in the rain to water their crops. Lack of water, poor health, vulnerability to countless ailments and even deprivation of food are some of their biggest struggles in the status quo. Mrs. Anifah claims that the government services and aid agencies have not delivered much help to them and she can only witness the comforts given to people with connections to government officials. The same problem was asserted by the family of Mrs. Samira Pindaton and his husband Mr. Ibra who only rely on farming as their source of sustenance. "Taman ko pamemegayan o sundaro a karton na da kowad o secretary saya, na pyakabayad kami iran pun sa 150 na inikasoy iran bu ka di iran kon bu kuwaan so karton", Mrs. Pindaton said. They have suffered huge loss and only demands for equal allocation of aid and relief. These families are barely llving to support their daily needs, and up until today they are waiting in the shadows of the siege.