Pandemic After Marawi Siege: Effects And Coping Strategies Of Internally Displaced Persons (Idp’s) In Government Transitory Shelters In Marawi City

Abstract

. The main purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who survived in the 2017 Marawi siege and how they cope and become resilient during the successive turmoil in their lives .Although the IDPs are among the most affected, it is very interesting to know their coping strategies that address the effects of the health crises .This inquiry employs Riley & Masten’s (2005) and Zaura, Hall & Murray (2008) formulation of resiliency theory focusing on the coping strategies of the IDPs as means of resiliency recovery from very complex man-made and health crises such as the Marawi siege and the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Survey, and Key Informant Interviews were used, to generate data on the current situation of 863 IDPs located in government transitional shelters situated in Marawi City namely-Sagonsongan, Boganga, Rorogagus and Dulay Proper. Highlights of the findings revealed that the farther the distance of transitory shelters from the city center, the more the IDPs experienced difficulty in accessing the market, schools. hospitals and other basic services, and most of all, difficulty in acquiring the source of livelihood and engaging in business due to higher transportation costs from the resettlement sites to Marawi City, and lack of capital to engage in business.