Philippines: Sec. Soliman meets with WFP exec to boost partnership

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman met with World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Ertharin Cousin over the weekend to explore ways to further enhance the partnership of the Philippines and the WFP in disaster preparedness and support for communities in Central Mindanao. WFP Philippines Country Director Praveen Agrawal was also in the meeting.

The meeting was held in connection with the ongoing 3rd United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (3WCDRR) at the Sendai Conference Center, Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Sec. Soliman is the head of the Philippine Delegation to the conference and she also co-chairs the Working Session on Preparedness for Effective Response with Executive Director Cousin.

During the meeting, Sec. Soliman acknowledged the support of WFP to DSWD programs in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao and its immediate and ready assistance during Typhoons ‘Yolanda’ and ‘Hagupit.’

In the aftermath of these major Philippine disasters, WFP provided food and logistics support to some 2.9 million individuals. In the early phase of emergency, WFP distributed High Energy Biscuits (HEB) that helped sustain the nutritional needs of 95,000 children in typhoon-hit areas. On top of the HEBs, WFP also distributed some 20,000 metric tons of other food items.

WFP also provided emergency cash assistance of Php 1,300 or US$30 per family per month to some 101,038 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program in Regions VI and VIII. From November 2013 to October 2014, WFP has provided Php 262,438,800 or approximately US$6 million worth of cash assistance to Pantawid Pamilya beneficiaries.

For WFP’s support to conflict-affected areas in Central Mindanao, Sec. Soliman cited school feedings where WFP provided hot, nutritious meals to some 100,000 children in 350 public schools; nutrition support through the provision of micronutrient-fortified, ready-to-use food to bridge essential nutrient gaps among the most vulnerable children and women; livelihood support through Food and Cash-for-Assets Programme and Food/Cash-for Work where the most vulnerable populations are given food or cash in exchange for work on vital new infrastructure, or for time spent on learning new skills that will increase the food security of households or communities; and capacity building to enhance the capabilities of communities and government agencies on disaster preparedness and response.

Sec. Soliman said that WFP’s continuing support will boost national and local efforts to effectively and efficiently respond to the impact of disasters especially since the Philippines is affected by 20 typhoons a year and is exposed to earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and drought, among others.

The Secretary thanked WFP for recognizing the strong leadership of the Philippine government in disaster risk reduction and preparedness.