Gov’t seeks to heal emotional wounds of Marawi war victims

Victims, particularly the youth, of the on-going conflict in the war-torn city of Marawi have started undergoing three- to six-months psychosocial intervention to heal the emotional wounds brought about by the siege.

Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) director Guiling Mamondiong said that the Psychosocial Intervention for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP-Youth) program has helped at least 2,000 youth evacuees since it was launched early this month.

Mamondiong said that the humanitarian service aims to provide relief to residents of Marawi City, particularly the youth whose ages range from 15 to 20 years old.

The psychosocial program, according to the TESDA chief, includes cultural integration, Islamic teaching, and peace advocacy to divert their attention from the destruction in the city. Aside from these, the agency has also offered free, short-term livelihood skills training to make them productive.

“Our brothers and sisters are scared. Their spirits (are) broken. To rebuild Mindanao and re-establish the community’s faith in law and order, we need to start with treating emotional wounds,” Mamondiong said.

“People’s damaged psychological conditions, whether they care to admit them or not, will need to be addressed before the actual rebuilding can begin.”

TESDA Regional Office 10 has partnered with Marawi-based Ranaw Foundation to help the estimated 190,000 evacuees still staying in evacuation centers in finding decent work, considering the available skills training program of TESDA which is geared towards poverty reduction.