Mothers of Marawi: Love that withstands conflict and displacement
Mother’s day is just around the corner. On this day, we recall the resilient mothers of Marawi and their heartwarming stories.
A mother warmly holds onto her child at an evacuation center in Pakalundo, Baloi, Lanao del Norte. This center shelters 183 families displaced by the 2017 conflict.
© UNHCR/Alecs Ongcal
This Mother’s Day, millions of women and their families are living in situations of displacement.
In times of displacement, women can be especially vulnerable. Without the protection of home, mothers struggle to provide for their families.
On this special day, we honor and celebrate the resilience, gentle courage, and care of mothers who were forced to flee their homes because of the conflict in Marawi nearly two years ago. Like all mothers, these displaced women are determined to keep their families safe. They have gone against odds to start rebuilding their families’ lives.
UNHCR’s work builds upon their own resilience and strength, and helps them to improve their lives, as well as those of their children, families and communities, every day.
Please take a moment to recognize their resilience with this photo series.
Ramla Basher, 39. Ramla is the mother of 24-year-old Mahaidin, who was born with Cerebral Palsy. They were forced to flee from home during the Marawi siege in 2017, and Ramla recalls that they had a difficult time because of her son’s condition. Basher has been depressed because of his impaired ability to walk. UNHCR gave him a wheelchair to aid his special condition. With a sigh of relief, Ramla says that her sons spirits have been lifted ever since he got the wheelchair. As a mother, it warms her heart to see him smile after everything that happened.
© UNHCR/Alecs Ongcal
Monauray Dimal is a mother and dressmaker from Barangay Dulay East, Marawi City. She has 11 children, and when the siege broke out, she hid all of them in their basement. Their whole town was destroyed and Monauray even lost her livelihood. Now, two years after the siege, Monauray has been active in the Community Project to repair their Masjid (place of worship) and Madrasah (school). Through this project, her children can continue their schooling and her family would have a safe place to pray.
© UNHCR/Lyka Gonzalez
Junaida Macud, 36 years old, holds her seven-month old baby, Juraid. Junaida gave her son the nickname “ISIS” because he was born around the time of the siege. They are now safe in an evacuation center at the Saguiaran covered court in Lanao del Sur.
© UNHCR/Alecs Ongcal
Omairah Maunda Sangcopan, 41. Omairah combs the hair of her daughter Noraisa, who has an inborn condition. When they were evacuating during the siege, Noraisa had to be carried down by her eldest sibling because of her inability to walk. They now live and seek support from their relatives in Lanao del Norte. UNHCR has provided them with a mattress and a wheelchair for Noraisa.
As a mother, Omairah is happy that they now live in more peaceful conditions, and focuses her life on taking care of Noraisa.
© UNHCR/Alecs Ongcal
Hasmin used to have a hard time providing water for her young daughter Carmina. As Internally Displaced People living in Barangay Bacawayan, they had a hard time collecting even the most basic needs. UNHCR donated two tanks for this village, and this greatly improved the water system. Hasmin and Carmina now have a sustainable source of water for drinking, cleaning, and bathing.
© UNHCR/Lyka Gonzalez
Faisah Abdulla, 19 years old, cooks a hearty meal for she and her 8-month-old baby Asraf. They are now safe in an evacuation center at Lanao del sur. Looking up the sky on a hazy afternoon, Faisah envisions a better future for her small family.
© UNHCR/Alecs Ongcal
Emma Nakaraya shares a warm smile with her son Waliboi during a community assessment of Barangay Lumbac Kialdan. The water pipeline of this town is currently being rehabilitated to create a sustainable source of potable water. Emma rejoices because once this project is implemented, she won't have to worry about the health and hygeine of baby Waliboi.
© UNHCR/Lyka Gonzalez
Hope amid ruins. This mother from Barangay Lumbac shows a strong look of resilience despite the scarcity of water. This community in Marantao hosts many families who were displaced by the Marawi conflict in 2017. Despite the scarcity of resources, many families here are thankful that they are now safe and they give each other strength as they face the challenges of displacement.
© UNHCR/Lyka Gonzalez
Anida Monib, 26 years old, holds her three-month old baby Norodin. Anida gave her son the nickname “Marciel” because he was born during the time Martial Law was declared in Mindanao after the siege. They now live safely in an evacuation center with other families in Saguiaran, Lanao del Sur.
© UNHCR/Alecs Ongcal
Mothers and Farmers. In 2018, UNHCR Philippines provided Barangay Bangco with four Carabaos to help with their farming. Since then, they have had a very fruitful harvest. Farmers became more productive, cooperatives sprung, and cooperation spread all around. Due to the fruitful harvest, these mothers are able to provide for their young ones.
© UNHCR/Lyka Gonzalez
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