Digital Reporter
Robert A. Vergara Jr.
Onto some serious news. Since the war between government troops and terrorists led by the Maute and Abu Sayyaf groups broke in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, on May 23, many residents have been forced to flee their homes.
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the nearly 2鈥憁onth siege in the predominantly Islamic city has already displaced a total of 101,013 families or 471,224 people. Nearly 4,000 of the families are sheltered in 78 evacuation centers established by the government in Lanao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, and Misamis Occidental while the rest stay in villages in seven Mindanao regions.
A recent report by Lanao del Sur鈥檚 local government said 33 evacuees have died due to diarrhea, severe dehydration, sepsis, and pneumonia.
In a bid to help the displaced residents in the besieged city, fintech startup聽聽has launched a fund raising program called #TogetherForMarawi.
Through the campaign, the company aims to raise 鈧250,000 from its users. As of press time, the company has already raised 鈧147,410.
The proceeds of this initiative will be donated to non鈥憄rofit organizations Philippine Red Cross and Save the Children to buy food, water, and sanitary items for the refugees in Marawi, Coins.ph said in a press release.
Five pesos for every load purchased or unique bill paid through Coins.ph鈥檚 mobile app on July 17 will also be donated to the program.
鈥淭he humanitarian crisis in Marawi continues to grow worse every day and we realized that we cannot simply stand by while this happening,鈥 Ron Hose, CEO of Coins.ph, was quoted as saying.
Coins.ph said other fintech companies have also committed to donate 鈥渁 day鈥檚 worth of salary鈥 for the initiative. These companies include聽,听,听,听, CapChain,听, QuickReach,听,听,听, and聽.
鈥淢arawi hits close to home for Kalibrr as we have a team member from there, and we’re glad to partner with Coins.ph to enable those with the ability to help those in need,鈥 Paul Rivera, CEO of Kalibrr, was quoted as saying.
Updates about the campaign can be viewed through聽.
