Invest in Muslim youth volunteering for peace

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I am writing this report as the conflict in Marawi is in its 6^th Week. On 23^rd May, conflict broke out between Government forces and various Militant groups with allegiance to ISIS. That night President Duterte declared martial law across Mindanao. So far there are more that 400 dead and at least 150,000 people displaced. KI staff, volunteers and Alumni are all affected by the violence. All had family or friends trapped in Marawi, when the violence erupted. 

Myself and other staff travelled to Marawi the next day to rescue relatives. The normal 45 min journey from Iligan took hours and hours due the huge outflow of people and the imposition of many strict checkpoints due to the imposition of Martial Law. One had her family house burned (we not sure if it was bombed).

KI is currently the convenor of MERN ( Mindanao Emergency Response Network-  made up of NGOs based in Lanao area). KI is coordinating data gathering of evacuees, KI staff and current volunteers are involved in this, especially those who are home based evacuees. KI is also helping to provide relief at evacuation centres and also attending coordination meetings of the government and other agencies.

 KI is lucky to have both Ashary and Asmin as staff as they both are very experienced as the worked on Typhoon Haiyan response. KI alumni many with disaster response experience are also involved. The current batch of volunteers are all working on providing humanitarian support some through KI and its partners and 3 have been temporarily place with other networks providing humanitarian relief

This is a very difficult time for KI (and all Maranaos).   We have to deal with their evacuated friends and family; We are having to deal with the news and pictures of the destruction of their beloved Marawi City. We are having to deal with the humanitarian crises in Iligan and surrounding areas. We are having to deal with upset and confusion that this violence is being perpetrated by so called fellow Muslims. We are having to deal with the imposition of Martial Law (and the historical fear this brings).