Saturday, October 18, 2008 UNDP, EC allot more funds for Mindanao
IN A bid to uphold the gains achieved for peace and development in Mindanao, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the European Commission (EC) recently allotted more funding for conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.
During the 7th Mindanao Working Group meeting held at the Manila Pavilion on October 2, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) pledged additional funds for the Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace Programme, the fourth and final phase of the Government of the Philippines-United Nations Multi-Donor Programme (GoP-UNMDP) that started in 1997.
Chaired by the Mindanao Economic Development Council (Medco) and the World Bank, the meeting served as a forum for members of the MWG to discuss how to preserve the peace and development gains in Mindanao.
The MWG is a mechanism/sub-group under the Consultative Group-Philippines, composed of government and donor representatives, for facilitating coordination of all foreign-assisted programs and projects in Mindanao.
Similarly, the EC affirmed its commitment to aid the people of the Philippines who are affected by natural or man-made disasters, by allotting 7 million euro aid for both relief efforts, as well as longer-term assistance to address the plight of displaced persons and host communities affected by conflict over recent years.
For relief efforts, the EC, through its European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department (Echo) specifically allotted 4 million euro (approximately P270 million) to help people affected by the recent violent incidents in Mindanao.
This decision to fund humanitarian efforts was based on a rapid assessment of the immediate needs of the civilian victims of the recent outbreak of conflict in Mindanao.
Conducted from August 4 to September 4, the study was done by a technical expert from the Echo Regional Office in Bangkok, in coordination with the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC), the Philippine National Red Cross, and other government and non-government organizations providing emergency assistance to displaced persons in Mindanao.
This funding will be coursed through veteran partners in the field, such as UN agencies, the International Red Cross, and NGOs. It will be used to include cover agency food distribution, drinking water and additional sanitation facilities, non-food relief items, basic shelter assistance, health care and psychosocial support, emergency support to livelihood rehabilitation and protection.
