Finding purpose in loss for victims of disaster and armed conflict

By Mary Grace Lazarra

Last 2019, IDEALS started the Bring VOICE to MDM project, working with disaster-affected communities in Maguindanao and Marawi. Through the project we wanted to help relatives of deceased and missing disaster victims shed light on their needs and the rights during calamities. A year and a half later we close the project with so many milestones, connections, and lessons with the communities we’ve worked with.

When IDEALS conducted its series of community orientations on Management of the Dead and Missing (MDM), we first asked participants if they knew about MDM. Although these areas were frequently hit by disaster, very few were aware such a concept existed. Because of this, IDEALS held discussions in their own language so they could fully understand MDM and their rights in times of disasters.

One challenge, however, was that despite our best efforts, members of the communities, including leaders, were hesitant to allow us to conduct activities. There were also times we had to cancel activities due to security concerns. During our dialogues, we learned that one of the reasons community members were reluctant to participate in the project was because so many groups had interviewed them before but never came back for updates. Even if they really needed help, part of them did not want to be disappointed again.

Despite this, our team didn’t give up. In fact, we became even more motivated to work with victims and the community. Trust-building was an integral part of our collaboration with them. As we held several meetings and visits, they accepted and allowed us to conduct activities in their area. The bereaved families were optimistic that with the project, their voices would finally be heard. After our orientations, they shared their hopes that bereaved families would be noticed by the government. I remember one widower in Marawi City who said that even if the government would not give them financial assistance, it was enough for her that the families would be noticed and have hope for future programs to assist them.

There were, of course, also moments of sadness. When we helped our champions conduct surveys on MDM in communities, I felt the heaviness in their hearts and understood how many victims still could not move on from the loss of their loved ones. I also witnessed the unique pain of those with missing family members, many of whom had no closure and did not even know whether their missing family members were still alive or dead. After profiling, I would feel their pain and try my best to keep what I felt inside so as not to trigger their emotions.

The experience I had with these survivors gave the team and our community champions reasons to work harder so that ordinances establishing financial assistance, a designated burial site, and an MDM help desk for families of deceased disaster victims would be approved and be implemented by the local government units.

Now, after our Regional Conversation and the filing of ordinances before local municipalities, I am proud of what we and the community members have accomplished together. It has been a team effort. Bring VOICE to MDM was meaningful because it engaged not only the local legislators but also the community members.

As we await the passage of the ordinances, I have the highest hopes for our champions and partner communities. Most of all, I’m optimistic that with collaborative work between community members, the development sector, and the local government, families of disaster victims may finally get the attention they deserve.

Mary Grace Lazarra is the project manager of Bring VOICE to MDM, a project supported by VOICE HIVOS. Bring VOICE to MDM aimed to raise awareness on the importance of MDM in times of disaster and help family members of disaster-affected areas in Mindanao lobby for local ordinances that would assist bereaved families in their recovery.