safety and security, and to ensure the safety of children and family members. The women expressed their worry for the properties they left behind – their houses, their appliances, and in the case of businesswomen, the stocks they just bought in preparation for the Eid. Some of these are concerns are herein reflected: Mahid regreted not bringing anything with her, she said had she known that the conflict would last this long, she should have brought clothes with her and she should have grabbed her piggy bank. [Mahid] We have not brought anything with us. “Sinisisi ako ng asawa ko kasi pati motor namin, naiwan. Pati mga gamit niya sa trabaho.” ( My husband is even blaming me because we left our motorcycle and his equipment for work.) [ Jeano Marino] The plight going to Baloi is by far the longest trip she could remember bringing nothing but the clothes they worn, it was even a struggle to pay for the fare which cost Php 1,500-2,000, which they borrowed from relatives and friends. And they are worried of how they can cope up with the debts without livelihood that will support her family and a home where they can sleep soundly at night. [Noralyn] They saw people (neighbors) who were running and leaving their homes. So her family also decided to also leave their home bringing nothing but the clothes they wear.[Calima] Women’s Experiences and Needs during displacement In terms of women’s and LGBTIs experience in evacuation centers, the womens’ stories reveal that for most of them, it was the first time that they experienced fleeing because of conflict. Most of them are used to random firefights in the city due to the “rido” but these never lasted for more than a day. The difficulty experienced by the women as first time IDPs are revealed in the following accounts: When reached here, we can’t sleep at night for two consecutives. We are not used to this situation…it is really difficult especially if you have children and they are getting sick and you don’t have a comfortable place to live. [Rohaimah Dimoocan] It is difficult here in the evacuation center because we cannot sleep and the children are getting sick because of the cold at night they can’t eat well. “Masakit na nakikita mo ‘yung mga anak mo na… kung alam ko lang na … Na gan’to ang mangyayari sa kanila, sana hindi na lang sila ipinanganak.” (It is painful seeing my children in this situation. If I only knew this would happened, I could not have carry and gave birth them.) [Isuihaya Banb] The women also relayed during the interviews specific concerns of women in evacuation centers including the gender specific needs of pregnant and lactating women, illness and sickness in evacuation centers mostly affecting infants and elderly, and needs directly related to women’s traditional reproductive work. Gender specific needs of pregnant and lactating women Women who are pregnant and those who are lactating have specific needs pertaining to their condition. While some ECs provide check-up including pre-natal check up and counselling, women still worry about other needs including the appropriate and nutritious food for lactating mothers. Some of the concerns of pregnant and lactating mothers are as follows: My big problem is the needs of my baby. Even if my giving birth would be free, I have only three pieces of the child’s clothes which was given by the doctor earlier. [Jeano Marino] 47