Aussies did it again.
Australia announced that it will commit
A$20 million or nearly P800 million worth
of assistance for the rehabilitation Marawi City over the next four years.
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| Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and President Rodrigo Roa Duterte during the former's courtesy call at Malacañan Palace last August 7, 2017.(photo credit to Philstar) |
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop,
one of the attendees in the 24th ASEAN
Regional Forum this week said the aid
will be for “recovery and long-term peace and stability in the southern
Philippines.”
It is intended to “ease civilian
suffering” caused by the siege and “contribute to peace-building in the area,”
Bishop said in a statement.
"Yesterday I met with Philippines
President Rodrigo Duterte in Manila, our second meeting for 2017. We discussed
the conflict in Marawi and the impact it is having on civilians in the
region," Bishop said in a media release
Bishop added that the A$20 million is on
top of the initial A$920,000 worth of emergency food and other supplies to be given by the Australian government to the Philippines which she announced last
June.
"Australia’s support will help meet
the urgent needs of these displaced people including through child protection
and counselling services," Bishop said.
Funding of small-scale infrastructure
projects for communities around Marawi,repair of local roads, and a provision
for clean drinking water are the intended beneficiary of Australia’s support.
"In addition, the Australian
Government will assist community peacebuilding efforts and strengthen local
capacity to resist and counter extremism," Bishop said.
Government has estimated 360,000 people
were forced to evacuate because of the siege of the ISIS inspired - Maute group
in the city.
Australia has also been an active partner
of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the battle against the
ISIS-inspired militants in Marawi.
"The Australian Government continues
to work with the Philippine Government to combat terrorism in the region,"
Bishop said.
Two AP-3C surveillance aircraft from the
Royal Australian Air Force provided support to the AFP in the inch by inch
retaking of Marawi City by the members of the Philippine Army and the
Philippine National Police.
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