The relief assistance was distributed to the “most affected” network members of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) as well as the communities they served last July 20 – 24, 2020.

The distribution of relief assistance was spearheaded by the CBCS Kutawato Cluster Convener Group headed by Nasser Pulindao of FBCSO and Archie Buaya of C-DORM, the lead Convener and Co-Convener respectively with overall supervision of Khusari Amella as CBCS Kutawato Cluster Area Coordinator. Kutawato Cluster areas covers Cotabato City, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and part of Bukidnon.

Part of the assistance was given to the Bajao Communities of Cotabato City who were surprised due to unexpected assistance in their over-crowded shanties. They however, extend their thanks and gratitude to CBCS. The Barangay Officials and members of the Kutawato Greenland Inc of the said Bajao Communities personally handed items to each family recipient.

Also part of the relief distribution is distribution of around 1,000 pieces of COVID-19 Primers to educate the public and raise their awareness on continuing vigilance in the fight against spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Although, generally our areas in Cotabato City and surrounding provinces are already in the status of “Modified General Community Quarantines” (MGCQ), but this must not be a reason for public to lower their guard since both in the world and in the Philippines, there is tremendous increases of affected cases as well as death toll.

A resident of one of the Barangay in Upi who received assistance lamented:”toow foh dakél salamat béh tobong gomenih.” (Thank you very much for helping us, we are not expecting that we receive help from others).”Fasang gétamanan Labi nay gai COVID, fiyo Bagi béh deh tomong tidéw lalag”. (Life is hard during this COVID, good wishes that there are help from the city. Thank you to the people who helped us.)

Thankful too are the Bahay-Maria an elder and orphanage center in Cotabato City who also part of the recipients of the assistance initiated by Ms Marivic Calubia and the Church workers and their immediate community.

Other selected recipients were distributed in Maguindanao and North Cotabato areas undertaken by CBCS member organizations in the above areas.

The assistance was made possible with initiative of CBCS through the support of its funding partner MISEREOR an international organization based in Germany to help and assists most vulnerable households as an effect of the fight against spread of the pandemic.

By: Khusari Amella
CBCS Kutawato Cluster Area Coordinator