ICRC hosts Iftar for stakeholders
COTABATO CITY (March 30, 2023) — The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) organized “Iftar” for its stakeholders on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadhan on March 28, 2023 held at the Diamond Hall, EM Manor Hotel, this city.
The organizer invited the different partners and friends that included representatives from the military, police, Bureau of Fire Protection and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, academic institutions, medical society, NGOs, CSOs, Philippine National Red Cross, media partners, Ulama group, Moro Fronts (MILF, MNLF), BTA members, and ICRC colleagues.
Iftar is the food taken in by Muslims to break their fast right after sunset.
ICRC thanked their partners everyone for allocating their precious time for coming the simple but meaningful iftar event particularly the religious sector citing Sheikh Marhan Borhan who led the opening prayer.
In his welcome remarks, Hiro Yabusaki, ICRC Head of Cotabato Sub-delegation, said “Looking back since last year, we have overcame together (challenges) starting with the COVID. I’m very fortunate, and together with all the partners we were able to come here.”
She added “I would like to take this opportunity once again to renew our commitment to work together for the community. We started here in BARMM, as well as area around the BARMM, that are still looking for the support and waiting for our assistance.”
“As of now that big project we have with BARMM is what we are working on. It is called Humanitarian Handbook. Together with BARMM this is to create the platform to discuss the law of humanitarian issues here in the context,” she said.
ICRC Adviser to the Head of Sub-delegation, Alhusari Arba said, “I been in the ICRC for 15 years na pedsukor-sukor ako. I’m so thankful na from the beginning very very smooth yung relationship namin with the BARMM and with the MILF, MNLF.”
Arba also expressed his gratitude for the long period of good collaboration and coordination with their partners in providing services to their beneficiaries.
Sheikh Abdulwahab Cawilan, Secretary of Da’wah Committee and Masajid Affair-Cotabato City, led the du’a (prayer) before breaking the fasting. ### (Radjamie A. Manggamanan/BMN-USM BSIR Interns/Bangsamoro Today)
