News

In Numbers:
– 15,045 people assisted in July 2023
– US,400 distributed through cash-based transfers
– 155 mt (metric tonnes) of iron-fortified rice distributed
– US.7 million six-month (August-December 2023) net funding requirements

Operational Updates:
Government Food e-Voucher Programme:
The government food e-voucher programme, Walang Gutom (No Hunger) 2027, kicked off in Tondo, Manila. The program is a collaboration between WFP, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice-President Sara Duterte were present at the launch. The program aims to provide 3,000 pilot participants with a food voucher digital card loaded with US (PHP 3,000) each month for 6 months. These vouchers can be used to purchase food commodities from registered retailers and smallholder farmers’ cooperatives.

Response to Typhoon Doksuri:
Typhoon Doksuri, locally known as Egay, affected over 28,000 people across Luzon, Central Visayas, and Central Mindanao. In response, WFP mobilized 40 trucks to transport 56,500 family food packs, reaching 282,500 people. WFP also deployed Mobile Operations Vehicles and VSATs to restore communications in Abra, Northern Luzon, supporting the government’s response efforts.

Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM):
In Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur provinces, WFP reached 15,045 people through food assistance for assets (FFA) activities. This included providing 11,250 people with iron-fortified rice and 3,795 people with cash assistance. FFA participants worked on various projects, such as rehabilitating roads, vegetable production, and constructing irrigation canals. The aim is to provide socioeconomic opportunities to vulnerable and conflict-affected communities to support the peace process.

WFP conducted a workshop on the Home-grown School Feeding (HGSF) project, involving the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education and representatives from local government units. The workshop focused on lessons learned from the project and discussed the preparation of the 2024 Annual Investment Program (AIP) and securing a budget allocation for HGSF implementation in BARMM.

Nutrition:
WFP sensitized 900 FFA participants in Maguindanao with social and behavior change communication messages through Nutrishow. This activity aims to inform participants about dietary diversity and promote the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding.

WFP participated in the National Zero Hunger Summit, presenting the global situation of hunger and food security. The summit brought together donors, implementers, volunteers, and researchers working towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger in the country.

WFP supported the Department of Education in the School Meals Coalition Member State Working Group Regular Meeting, providing updates on progress made in fulfilling commitments within the coalition.

El Niño Preparedness:
WFP supported the DSWD and the Department of Agriculture in the conceptualization and field-level coordination of the Local Adaptation to Water Access (LAWA) project. This government early action project aims to provide cash assistance to participants while they establish community watersheds and small farm reservoirs to anticipate dry spells during El Niño.

Climate Change Adaptation:
WFP participated in the 2nd Project Technical Working Group Workshop for the Green Climate Fund Project on Multi-Hazard Impact Based Forecasting and Early Warning System. This involved collaborating with key government agencies to finalize the work and financial plan for the project’s first year of implementation.

Supply Chain and Logistics:
WFP supported the Department of Health in a writing workshop to develop its Humanitarian Supply Chain Management Course. Technical guidance was provided by DSWD, the Office of Civil Defense, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization for curriculum development.

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