The Ministry of Human Settlements and Development, the Housing Arm of the BARMM, has joined the Rapid Disaster Needs Assessment (RDNA) team composed of Ministries, Agencies and Offices of the BARMM at the emergency meeting with the Bangsamoro Disaster Risk Reduction Management (BDRRM) at the BARMM Readi Conference Hall, Cotabato City on April 12, 2024.

During the emergency meeting, the MHSD was represented by Bangsamoro Director General Esmael W. Ebrahim and Yasser S. Mama, Chief of Monitoring and Evaluation Division (MED).

Engr. Rafzan M. Mama, Project Evaluation Officer II of the MED, was appointed as the MHSD focal person and member of one of the two RDNA teams for overall monitoring and supervision. The teams will assess the damages of El Niño and visit the affected families.

Presided by none other than Hon. Ahod B. Ebrahim, Chief Minister and BDRRMC Chairperson, the council presented the computed and forecasted heat index across BARMM and some areas in Region XIII, XII, XI, X and IX.

Areas emphasized to enter a State of Calamity were the Municipalities of Hadji Muhtamad and Akbar in Basilan, and Rajah Buayan, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, and Datu Piang in Maguindanao del Sur.

Accorsingly, Simunul has been experiencing dry weather conditions for more than two months, while Lamitan City started experiencing a decrease in rainfall as forecasted by PAG-ASA El Niño Outlook at the start of the first quarter of 2024.