In September 2013, a siege involving government security forces and armed men in the southern city of Zamboanga, Philippines, left an unforgettable mark. Nearly two years later, people are still displaced. The following images from photographer Veejay Villafranca provide a vivid view of the effects of conflict.

The photos capture the daily life of displaced people. Many of them sense that their future remains uncertain nearly two years after the conflict. The needs are high. We are helping to save lives, alleviating suffering and restoring dignity among the displaced families. We need to raise awareness of the human suffering and resilience in Zamboanga and commit to global actions to save more lives and search for solutions to the greater challenges of today and the next generation. This World Humanitarian Day, it is important that we acknowledge our united efforts in responding to humanitarian crises, in order to protect the most vulnerable.

—Javad Amoozegar, Action Against Hunger Country Director, Philippines

Prolonged stay of displaced people in conditions where access to basic services and facilities are limited have exposed young children to various risk factors such as diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, and dengue. Action Against Hunger and partners help thousands of people improve their nutritional status through access to clean water and sanitation, nutrition, psychosocial support, and livelihoods.

Our humanitarian efforts in Zamboanga are made possible through generous funds from the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), European Commission's Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and Department of Foreign Affairs Trade and Development (DFATD), in collaboration with the people of Zamboanga.