Rebuilding Marawi
MASIDING NOOR YAHYA
@dingyahya
“Rebuilding Marawi is one gigantic and uneasy task to do. This cannot be done by one only. Even the government itself cannot do it alone.
The involvement of multi-sectors of the affected community through their leaders or representatives is imperative. No one can better understand the affected other than themselves.
And for this reason, an adhoc undertaking, the Marawi Assistance Coordinating Organization (MACO) has been born."
The international conference on Marawi post-conflict reconstruction held recently in Cagayan de Oro City sought the involvement of multi-sectors of the affected community of the Marawi Siege which befell the Islamic city since May 23.
Rebuilding Marawi is one gigantic and uneasy task to do. This cannot be done by one only. Even the government itself cannot do it by itself alone.
The involvement of multi-sectors of the affected community through their leaders or representatives is imperative. No one can better understand the affected other than themselves.
And for this reason, an adhoc undertaking, the Marawi Assistance Coordinating Organization (MACO) has been born. “
What is MACO?
The Marawi Assistance Coordinating Organization (maco) is a non-government organization composed of people from various fields representing a broad spectrum of policy rele vant circles, think tanks, academia, and faculty. It is basically a united peace and humanitari an organization whose vision is to promote peace and development and ensuring that Shel ter, Education and Livelihood for every Family (SELF) are provided to local population.
Mission Statement
To work towards ensuring that Internally Displace Persons, the poorest and most vulnerable and those affected by humanitarian crises brought about by the Marawi Siege have access to the fundamental rights of life, including but not limited to adequate shelter, food, water and sanitation, healthcare and education.
Our vision
We envision a city of Peace and Culture where peace ensures human dignity and guaran tees humanity is preserved for future generation; where poverty and hunger no longer exist; where structural and cultural barriers to growth are removed; and where every man, woman and child has equal rights and access to resources and opportunities.
Humanitarian focus
MACO is committed to saving lives, alleviating suffering and restoring and maintaining the dignity of the local population. MACO shall continue to invest in both the ability to react quickly and effectively, and in the ability to implement humanitarian programs that are context-appropriate and respond to the identified needs of a community. Wherever possi ble, MACO designs humanitarian responses that support and empower a community’s own response and increases their ability to withstand future shocks and stresses. It shall engage with as partners in the design, implementation and monitoring of humanitarian program ming with number of community groups, faith-based organizations, local non-government organizations and local and national authorities.
Funding
We seek generous support from many institutional donors including charitable trusts and foundations across the world. We expect the public to wholeheartedly support the work that we do. We are forever grateful for the donations and other contributions that institutional donors make and for the public’s enthusiastic support of our fundraising events.
MACO is expected to assist line depart ments of supporting sectors in the society — government or NGOs — to implement their portion of their works. In essence, MACO is a clearing house for all activities related to the reconstruction process. While it does not have the enforcing power normally associated with a government agency, its role as a private watchdog and coordinator is very much essential in achieving quick results with accountability. The challenge then for MACO will be how it supports the government rather than substitutes for it or duplicate its efforts and how it manages to sustain itself throughout the reconstruction period. (RSP)
