Special Iftar dinner served in Marawi City

MARAWI CITY - Special Iftar meals were served to 667 internally displaced families from Marawi as part of the “Share the Blessing” project of Global Impact Phils Foundation in collaboration with 1197DXFE - FEBC, and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Region XI last May 15-19 in Bito Buadi Itowa Transition Homes and last June 1115 in Sarimanok Tent City.

Halal-prepared and cooked meals of steamed rice, chicken, fish, beef, vegetables and fruits were served with portion good for 6 persons per family. Dishes were carefully planned to conform to Maranao palate such as beef randang, fish in coconut milk with turmeric, palapa and native spices. All in all, the project has served more than 20,000 meals.

A total of 71,170 families have been displaced by the armed conflict in Marawi City on May 23 2017. Most of these are living in temporary shelters and evacuation centers all over Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur.

Amil, an internally displaced person from Sarimanok Tent City Site 2, expressed that having cooked meals for breaking the fast (Iftar) is a big help to them since it is difficult to cook given the

situation in temporary shelters. He also added that it feels good to be able to eat Maranao dishes again with his family.

The program aims to help vulnerable groups like internally displaced persons (IDPs) stay away from being victims of exploitation. Ms Marydith Desabelle, program manager of Global Impact, said “We wanted to do the extra mile by serving meals during this important celebration in order for them to feel loved and remembered.”

The distribution of halal meals ended during Eid’l Fitr on June 15 where food were distributed to the families after the morning prayers. Global Impact is a faith-based organization that aims to fight human trafficking in the Philippines with special focus in Mindanao.