The United Nations (UN) has assured the Philippines of its commitment to assist conflict areas in Mindanao despite a temporary halt in providing aid to the area in the wake of bombings.

It would be recalled that the UN has stopped providing aid to Mindanao last July 8 due to safety concerns following the successive bombings in five areas in Mindanao which targeted civilians.

UN also imposed a travel restriction to Mindanao last July 6.

“The United Nations strives to continuously ensure the safety and security of all staff to allow us to carry out our mission and reach out to targeted beneficiaries,” UN resident coordinator ad interim Dr. Soe Nyunt-U said in a statement.

“The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Government of the Philippines’ efforts in its assistance to Mindanao, with focus on further improving our humanitarian response and long-term development efforts given the complex nature of the current displacement in Mindanao,” he said.

Soe Nyunt-U said that the UN’s food distributions and missions in Mindanao will resume immediately after the travel restrictions are lifted.

“Despite the travel restrictions imposed on UN staff visiting the region, Mindanao based staff continue to provide program support to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable populations affected by the conflict,” Soe Nyunt-U said.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also said that the UN travel restrictions will only be within a one-week period “as the UN Department of Safety and Security monitors and assesses the security situation in certain areas, in light of recent developments.”

“Such restrictions are being undertaken pursuant to long-established UN standard operating procedure governing security clearances for UN missions and operations worldwide, and for evaluating situations in the field that impact on the security of its personnel,” the DFA said.

The Amnesty International has earlier condemned the bombing attacks, calling for an “immediate end” to the bombing attacks that killed and wounded civilians.

The bomb attacks, which started on July 4, took place in Datu Piang, Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Iligan City, Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte; and Jolo, Sulu.