The health impact of internal displacement among women and children in Mindanao

El impacto de la salud en el desplazamiento interno entre mujeres y niños en Mindanao

War continues to rage in Mindanao. More than three years after the Final Peace Accord between the Philippine Government and the Moro National Liberation Front was signed the guns have not fallen silent. This is seen as a consequence of the government's militaristic response to the long-drawn struggle for the right to self-determination of the Moro People. As a consequence some 518,000 Filipinos have been displaced and hastily left their means of subsistence to seek safety in evacuation centers.

In response to the humanitarian crisis in Mindanao, the Medical Action Group conducted a series of relief, medical and psychosocial services to internally displaced persons together with other human rights organizations. They also participated in a fact-finding mission to document other human rights violations, and observed that women and children suffered tremendously from the escalation of violence.

An investigative report, from May-November 2000, sought to identify and describe the health impacts of internal displacement among women and children in Mindanao. Further, it sought to identify specific interventions, which can be made in the future, in response to the health needs of internal refugees information, on the level of disaste r preparedness of communities in Mindanao, during situations of armed conflict. This was done through one-on-one interviews with women in evacuation areas in the Lanao provinces and Cotabato.

Data from medical reports of Mindanaoans who served during the medical missions were also analyzed using Epi-Info. Children aged 2-6 years old were the most vulnerable and suffered from communication diseases such as upper respiratory tract infection, diarrhea and tuberculosis. Post-traumatic stress disorders were also common. Those affected belonged to the reproductive age group of 15-44 years. Only 20% of pregnant women served had access to prenatal services. There was no difference in health care delivery before and after evacuation as perceived by women.

Psychosocial rehabilitation, immunization and women-directed health care services must be made available to internal refugees during displacement. However, government has not been prepared to respond to disasters brought about by armed conflict.