Reintegrating Manila's
street children
International staff: 10
National staff: 75
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MSF's work in the Philippines this year has continued
to address health problems related to poverty and civil
strife.
In the capital Manila, MSF provides a comprehensive
package of medical, psychosocial and legal services aimed
at facilitating the reintegration of street children into
Filipino society. In addition, a separate mobile medical
team is now concentrating on street children in District
V, one of Manila's six districts and the heart of the city. The
team's work is complemented by a child-friendly center in
the Paco area of the district and a pilot project offering
social support to the families of street children and the
communities where they live.
The southern island of Mindanao has long been the site
of clashes between the government army and rebel groups.
MSF began assisting people displaced internally by fighting
in Maguindanao and North Cotabato in 2000.
Following the cessation of hostilities in March 2001, the
number of people displaced fell from 800,000 in July 2000
to less than 20,000 in March 2002. In light of the improved
situation, MSF was able to close its mobile clinics in March
and to stop supplying medicines in May.
In neighboring Sulu province, the site of intense civil conflict,
MSF continues to provide financial support to a
pharmacy cooperative set up in 1997.
A project to improve water quality and sanitation in
the slum area of Malabon, north of Manila, drew to a
close in spring 2002.
MSF has been working in the Philippines since 1984.
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