A/70/334 Iraq 7. The Special Rapporteur conducted an official visit to Iraq from 9 to 15 May 2015. He travelled to Baghdad and Erbil to consult with national and regional government representatives and other stakeholders. In his preliminary findings he called on the Government to devote greater resources, planning an d attention to the needs of nearly 3 million internally displaced persons. Given the volatile conflict situation, new waves of displacement are likely, requiring preparedness measures which protect the rights of internally displaced persons, including thei r freedom of movement. Internally displaced persons in collective shelters and unfinished buildings live in precarious conditions, often under the threat of renewed displacement, with inadequate shelter, health care, food, water and sanitation. Urgent measures are required to create adequate living conditions and prevent illness and the spread of disease. The needs of the host communities bearing the brunt of the displacement crisis must be addressed. In light of the significant shortfall in humanitarian funding, the international community must be a reliable and long-term humanitarian partner to Iraq. Syrian Arab Republic 8. The Special Rapporteur visited the Syrian Arab Republic on an official mission from 16 to 19 May 2015. He visited collective shelters in and around Damascus, in Homs and Lattakia. Over 7 million persons are currently internally displaced, and the prospects of new waves of displacement are high given the instability in many localities. Most internally displaced persons are living wit h host families and communities, which places a heavy burden on them. Three or four years after their displacement, many in collective centres are reliant on humanitarian assistance, lack employment opportunities and have little prospect of returning to their homes. He urged the Government to allow United Nations and other humanitarian actors to operate freely in areas under its control and where security permits, with unhindered access to all locations and internally displaced populations. The current shortfall in humanitarian funding requires urgent action by the international community to bolster support to humanitarian agencies in Syria. Philippines 9. The Special Rapporteur undertook an official mission to the Philippines from 21 to 31 July 2015 to assess the situation of internally displaced persons in different regions of the country caused by natural disasters, conflict and development projects. He praised the Government for its responses to the massive internal displacement caused by Typhoon Haiyan and the significant progress in providing transitional and permanent homes to those affected and in restoring livelihood opportunities, as well as policies such as “build-back-better” that are aimed at mitigating the effects of future disasters. However, he expressed concern that attention and resources appear to be waning before durable solutions are fully achieved and that some internally displaced persons remain in dire situations. He urged the Government to follow through on its commitments and dev ote muchneeded attention and resources to internally displaced persons until durable solutions are attained and their futures are secured. He equally expressed concern regarding persistent conflict as a cause of displacement in Mindanao and the situation of indigenous peoples affected by conflict and development projects. 15-12504 5/26