FACEBOOK can be such an asset in keeping us informed of what’s happening around especially on the devastating events and the efforts of many to assist.
Getting wind of NVC Foundation’s Mingo Meals to the children of war-torn Marawi, I called Millie Kilayko, president of the foundation, for some information.
As a backgrounder, here is what Millie has to say: “When the Marawi war broke out and evacuation was reported, NVC began to seek ground partners who will be efficient conduits for Mingo. After having identified them, a Mingo for Marawi Drive was up and the first shipment left Bacolod less than a week after that.”
Millie continues: “Mingo has been used as emergency relief source of food in several evacuation centers, including those set up during the Zamboanga siege, Typhoon Yolanda, and Bohol earthquake. We feel overwhelmed with support from people from various sectors – from little kids giving coins from their piggy banks to people depositing money into NVC's account and refusing to be identified. Today, we mark 400,000 Mingo Meals for Marawi.”
There are 15 ground volunteer organizations in Iligan who help the NVC Foundation deliver Mingo. The program is overseen by NVC's Mindanao-based volunteer who traveled to Iligan for this. The volunteer is a seasoned emergency relief worker for Mingo, having been the first to bring Mingo to the evacuation sites in disaster-stricken areas in the past.
What is Mingo?
Mingo is instant, made of rice, mongo, and malunggay. It doesn't even need warm water to turn it into porridge, even room temp is okay. Since it's ready to eat, it's okay for kids to eat straight from the pack, as they sometimes do.
Mingo was originally developed as complementary food for infants and toddlers for NVC's Nutrition Program, but later discovered as a handy and healthy emergency relief food.
“NVC has produced 6,000,000 Mingo Meals since 2011 and has served 30 provinces. Mingo is usually sold at P5 each but for the Mingo for Marawi drive P5.80 is charged as that includes air freight cost. We know time is of the essence and we want it to get to the kids as fast as possible,” Millie says.
For us here in Bacolod, there is not much we can do to help, assist in the battlefield or in the evacuation camps. Perhaps, we can help by donating to NVC Foundation who will make sure these kids have something to eat while the war is ongoing.