The death toll rises to 140 dead , over 300 injured and almost 200 thousand refugees. To counter the humanitarian emergency , NASSA has opened a bank account for aid donations. Basic necessities needed for at least six months , situation critical for children who do not have enough food. The plight of the displaced.

Manila ( AsiaNews ) - The National Secretariat for Justice and Peace ( Nassa ) of the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines ( CBCP ) has launched an appeal for humanitarian assistance for the population of Zamboanga , affected by the war between the army and Islamic rebel Moro National Liberation Front ( MNLF ) . Catholic leaders are organizing new peace initiatives including moments of prayer, fasting and silent vigils like the one that took place yesterday in Mindanao .

However, the death toll continues to grow, with little hope for a truce. Since the beginning of the military operations against the MNLF, on September 9 , the area has been virtually paralyzed and its people live in a state of fear . To date, the number of dead in Zamboanga has risen to 140 , mostly among the militia , while the wounded exceed 300 , at least 200 thousand refugees are fleeing the war , of a total population of about 800 thousand people.

Yesterday NASSA officials have launched the fundraising campaign to support the local population through its offices in the territories across the area of conflict and engaged partners to help distribute aid within shelters. Since the beginning of the conflict, the Catholic movement has sent 100 thousand pesos (just over $ 2,300 ) to the Archdiocese of Zamboanga , to be distributed to families who are victims of war. In addition, some dioceses have sent truckloads of clothes, basic necessities and rice, as confirmed by the NASSA President and auxiliary bishop of Manila, Msgr. Broderick Pabillo . However, the demand is growing and supplies are used for at least six months.

"We appeal for your help" Msgr. Pabillo urged the faithful, "to support the aid of the Church and so that, all together, we can bring the message of peace and love to our brothers and sisters in need ." The prelate added that "children in particular" are suffering from the conflict , the prey of " disease and inadequate nutrition " , like vegetables which  "are not available in supermarkets ."

The clashes in recent days have spread to the province of Basilan, where there are already thousands of displaced people in Lamitan City and other towns in the area . To help raise funds for NASSA, you can make a donation by bankdraft to the Bank of the Philippine Islands ( BPI), current account 4951-0071-08 payable to CBCP Caritas Filipinas Foundation, Inc.

Islamist insurgents in the MNLF, an Islamic separatist group established in the late 1960s, call for independence from Manila and the creation of a Muslim country in the southern island of Mindanao, which is rich in mineral resources. Despite a peace treaty signed in 1996, hostilities between rebels and central authorities still flare up from time to time in the south of the country, where separatists have split up in various groups. One group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) recently signed a draft peace deal with the government in Kuala Lumpur, but the truce has been met with scepticism by both parties , is likely to fade due to the opposition of other rebel movements that continue to foment violence and divisions in the region.

 

• Philippines
• conflict
• MNLF
• Army
• islamic
• rebels
• Zamboanga
• NASSA
• catholic
• church