78 2020 Annual Report on the Human Rights Situation in the Philippines 302 Provide food assistance, particularly for IDPs who are minimum wage earners, such as laborers, vendors, pedicab drivers, carpenters, those who are in the informal sector, and others who have no capacity to earn a living. 303 Discourage humanitarian actors from conducting on-site monitoring activities in IDP sites. This is in line with the “Do No Harm” principle, as the physical presence of humanitarian actors in IDP communities can spread the virus should such actors be virus carriers. Should there be a pressing need for on-site monitoring, humanitarian actors should use protective clothing and equipment to make sure that viruses will not be transmitted to the IDPs, or vice versa. 304 Provide access to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible, and affordable water for personal and domestic use, and safe sanitation facilities. 305 Provide timely, important, and easy to understand information regarding relief assistance, safety and security, and other humanitarian concerns. To the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration 306 Ensure that our migrant workers abroad or in the country have full access to health care systems, essential goods and services, cash grants or financial assistance, and mental health and psycho-social support services. 307 Ensure access of OFWs to communication with their families and provide the necessary financial assistance to the families of displaced OFWs. 308 Arrange transportation services for OFWs who are still stranded in their receiving countries. All OFWs should be duly informed of all the government support services available and must be guided on how to avail of such services. 309 The CHR sends its deepest condolences to those who have lost their OFW family members to COVID-19 and extends its solidarity to our migrants and OFWs who are stranded far away from home, and those who have been repatriated to the Philippines, and the members of their families. The CHR lauds the initiatives made by various government agencies, including the DFA, the OWWA, and the DOLE, including the Philippine Embassies and Consulates General, to address the concerns of our migrants and their families. To the National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council 310 The recent typhoons exacerbated the situation of IDPs in the country. These typhoons greatly affected the lives of people, especially those who live in the severely affected areas. These disasters pushed people to evacuate and/or leave their homes in search of a safer abode. In its statement, the CHR emphasizes the importance of support and intervention of the national and local governments in the swift and urgent delivery of services for displaced families. Responders must also take into account the risks posed by the pandemic. The CHR underscores the need for the government’s urgent humanitarian response in ensuring the protection and promotion of rights of IDPs. Displaced communities must not be left behind in this time of vulnerability.

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