MANILA, September 21, 2008--An overseas Catholic development agency is at the forefront of a relief effort to help those caught up in the escalating violence in the Mindanao, southern Philippines.

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), the official overseas development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, is urging for a peaceful resolution in the Philippines following attacks allegedly by groups linked to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), a rebel group, and subsequent counter attacks and bombings by government troops, according to a statement posted in its website http://www.cafod.org.uk.

In 1962, the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales officially set up CAFOD, then known as the Catholic Fund for Overseas Development.

Villages and towns in Lanao del Norte and other parts of Mindanao have been affected with more than 20,000 people forced to flee their homes while 38 have already been reported killed.

“The situation is very tense. People are very scared of the possibility of more attacks from both sides,” said Carino Antequisa, CAFOD's staff member in Mindanao.

"The situation is expected to get worse and I fear many more people will be displaced. We must act quickly to help those in need and find a way towards a peaceful solution. This is even more vital following mixed messages from both sides as to whether the peace deal is still possible," said Antequisa.

CAFOD, which partners with Pakigdait and ECOWEB, works in the affected communities distributing rice, mats and other relief supplies to the displaced.

They have set up a registration service to help reunite families and are offering trauma counseling. The organizations are also lobbying for peace talks to get back on track.

Guidance councilors and physiologists from Dominican-run University of Santo Tomas (UST), Manila, also have been helping affected people and providing psychological support to cope up in the wake of trouble-stricken Mindanao, Dr. Rosalito de Guzman, chair, department of Psychology, UST’s College of Science, told CBCP News.

Alex Cooney, CAFOD's South East Asia program manager, said, "CAFOD will be providing support to our partners to carry out relief work and ensure people’s needs are met in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. It’s vital for peace-talks to resume with participation at all levels as these events are creating further divisions in the communities in Mindanao."

CAFOD believes that all human beings have a right to dignity and respect, and that the world's resources are a gift to be shared equally by all men and women, whatever their race, nationality or religion.

Its mission is to promote human development and social justice in witness to Christian faith and Gospel values.

Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo also appealed to government and non-government agencies, local and international, to provide relief to the people who are affected by the Mindanao crises. (Santosh Digal)