PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: USA Strengthens WFP Disaster Preparedness Initiatives in the Philippines

With the rainy season in the Philippines fast approaching, the need to strengthen disaster preparedness and response efforts in the country is once again a top priority.

The situation is even more pressing considering that the Philippines is a disaster-prone country with an estimated 20 typhoons annually. It is also regarded as one of the countries most affected by climate-related disasters, with the 2012 World Risk Report ranking the archipelago as third among 173 countries most at risk of natural hazards.  

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Donates Over 150 Tons of Dates to WFP for School Children in Conflict-Affected Communities in ARMM

Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the Philippines Abdullah Al-Hassan (center) and senior representative of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance in Riyadh Saad Al Sunaidi (left) formally hand over 153 tons of dates to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Philippines Representative and Country Director Praveen Agrawal (right).  

 The generous date donation from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be distributed to students who are part of WFP’s school feeding programme in Central Mindanao, majority of whom are in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). The fruit contains essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that will contribute to the children’s growth and development.

 In coordination with the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, WFP will distribute the dates – which the students will take home – to about 65,000 vulnerable families in the conflict-affected provinces in ARMM.     

 Photo Credit: WFP/Anthony Chase Lim/Philippines

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Japan Assistance Sustains WFP Typhoon Pablo Operations

DAVAO CITY – As the Philippine Government scales up its early recovery efforts for communities affected by Typhoon Pablo (international name “Bopha”), support from the Government of Japan – through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) – will help sustain the Philippine Government’s on-going Typhoon Pablo operations.  

The Japanese Government, which has allocated PhP81 million (US$2 million) for the Typhoon Pablo response, has enabled WFP to purchase 2,982,000 kilograms (2,982 metric tons) of rice, enough to feed 250,000 people for two months.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Join Trick Or Treat for UNICEF

This Halloween, more than the screams and scares of this holiday, UNICEF also makes this day an opportunity to help other less privileged children of the world and save them from the real life horrors that made their lives unpleasant. This year, children and parents can now join to make Trick or Treat for UNICEF. 

How Trick or Treat for UNICEF began 

In 1950, a Pennsylvania minister, the Reverend Clyde Allison, and his wife Mary Emma were handing out treats to an endless parade of trick-or-treaters. The spectacle triggered conflicting emotions in the couple. Mary Emma turned to her husband and said: “It’s too bad we can’t turn this into something good.” Clyde replied: “We can.” 

Eventually, Allison’s children, friends, and fellow congregation members began going door-to-door, collecting coins for UNICEF in hand-painted milk cartons. Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF was born. 

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Canada Steps In To Assist Flood And Conflict Affected Children In The Philippines

Emergency food assistance donated by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), through the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has boosted the Philippine Government-led emergency relief efforts in flood-affected areas of Central Luzon and conflict-affected areas of Central Mindanao.

“WFP is grateful to CIDA for its steadfast commitment in responding to humanitarian needs in the Philippines when they arise, which has enabled WFP to be an effective partner to the Philippine Government,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Caritas Manila continues relief efforts for flood victims

For almost a week now, Caritas Manila continues with its relief efforts for the thousands of victims of flooding in Metro Manila.

Caritas Manila’s Damayan, the relief assistance and emergency program of the Church as of August 15, 2012 has provided relief assistance to 20, 444 families in the parishes under the Archdiocese of Manila and Dioceses of Caloocan,Cubao, Pasig, Antipolo, and Malolos.

Caritas Manila so far has raised Php 2,892,635 In-Cash donations and Php. 534,618 In-Kind donations from individuals, organizations and parishes for the flood victims.

Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon will still continue to experience intermittent rains according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: WFP Supports Government Relief Efforts For Flood-Affected Communities

In the wake of monsoon rains that have brought severe floods to the Luzon and Visayas regions, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has mobilized logistics and food support tocomplement the Philippine Government’s emergency relief efforts, working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“WFP is saddened by the humanitarian impact of the non-stop rains over the last week in the Philippines, and we would like reiterate our solidarity with the Philippine Government during times of emergencies. We stand ready to offer our full support to augment government efforts when needed,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Atletes in Action Run For School Kids in Iligan

Even after almost half a year, the victims of the Typhoon last December is still in a recovery stage, and as the school year starts this June, there is the scarcity of classrooms for students. 

To raise funds for the rehabilitation of schools in Iligan City that were destroyed by Typhoon Sendong, an international humanitarian-sports organization is holding a running event on July 7.

Titled "Schools Run for School Rooms" (SRSR), the run led by Athletes in Action (AIA) will be participated in by student runners from major universities in Metro Manila, groups from government agencies, private corporations and chirches, as well as running enthusiasts.

The run will be held at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. Assembly of participants is at 4 am., as gun start at 5am.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: US Government Up Support For WFP Disaster Preparedness in the Philippines

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) received a US$3.75 million (approximately PhP 160 million) grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which will be used to expand WFP’s disaster preparedness and response programme in the Philippines. 

Working in close partnership with the central government and the Office of Civil Defense, WFP and local government units in four disaster-prone provinces of Sorsogon, Benguet, Cagayan and Laguna have been rolling out a disaster preparedness and response pilot programme focused on building local emergency management capacity, disaster mitigation and protection of livelihoods. 

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Saudi Envoy Hands Over 60 Tons of Dates to WFP for Conflict-Affected Communities in ARMM

Royal Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ambassador to the Philippines Abdullah Al-Hassan (second from left) and senior representative of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Finance in Riyadh Saad Al Sunaidi (far left) formally hand over 60 tons of dates to U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson (far right), with Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Middle East and African Affairs Executive Director Neal Imperial (second from right) acting as witness.  

The generous date donation from the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest ever to WFP Philippines.  In coordination with the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development, WFP will distribute the food to 30,000 vulnerable families in the conflict-affected provinces of Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.    

Photo Credit: WFP/Anthony Lim/Philippines

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Aquino Government Hails new study on the Impact of Central Mindanao Conflict and Displacement

Research commissioned by the World Bank and World Food Programme notes persistent challenges after displaced households return to their homes.

Cycles of violent conflict in Central Mindanao have resulted in the mass displacement of nearly a million people from their homes over the past 12 years. In 2003, tens of thousands were displaced by armed conflict and, more recently, thousands of families had to leave their homes yet again when fighting escalated in parts of Zamboanga Sibugay and Basilan in October 2011. Currently, several thousand people across Mindanao remain displaced, particularly in Maguindanao. 

Disrupting livelihoods are presenting major challenges to both affected families and the government, these concerns do not necessarily end with the return of displaced individuals to their places of origin, a study by the World Bank (WB) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) during a launch at the Human Development and Poverty Reduction Cabinet Cluster revealed.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: WFP and JICA support Sendong Survivors in Remote Iligan Villages‏

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative Takahiro Sasaki (far right) and U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson (second from left) recently visited remote villages of Lanipao, Dulag, Kalilangan and Panoroganan in Iligan City, accessible only by motorcycle, to jointly distribute food, cooking utensils and other items to 750 families who were highly affected by Tropical Storm Sendong (international name “Washi”) in December 2011.  JICA and WFP provided this humanitarian support in partnership with the local government of Iligan City and the Bangsamoro Development Authority, and also with the participation of the International Monitoring Team and the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.    

Photo Credit: WFP/Marilou Morales Cezar/Philippines

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: 5 Million and Counting Says No To Mining in Palawan

Join the battle cry and make your voices heard—loud and clear—in support of a national rally to protect our environment. Spread the word and play a key role in the evolution of consciousness of our people by urging more Filipinos to say NO to MINING in Palawan and other fragile island ecosystems.

The signature campaign is the power of good; it’s the power of many. If we all own the battle and act decisively and dynamically, then maybe we can try for 3 million more signatures by the end of the month, before hitting the ten million mark by Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012. Help us deliver a strong message to the government and the world: that Filipinos are one in protecting Mother Nature and our own future.  Let’s make it happen—play a key role in the consciousness of our people. Our future depends on it…

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Bloggers' Meet Up With World Vision Philippines

Many people would think that helping others requires one to be materially blessed and stable. That is how many people see the world right now. And it was a great pleasure to be invited to a great organization that sets its eyes on promoting a holistic approach in helping poor communities especially the children who needs education and nutrition.

World Vision actively promotes education to underprivileged children and  malnourished kids. And aside from those they also provide sustainable livelihood and spiritual support. In the Bloggers' meet last Jan 26, I got to know more about world vision aside from its booths found in malls. 

Though it is an international organization, they make sure that they provide programs that fit Filipino needs. Also its not that hard to sponsor a child which is basically 20 pesos a day! I do want to have a sponsored child soon when I have a stable income so I can be consistent virtual parent which can follow the footsteps of community heroes like Efren Penaflorida, who is a World Vision sponsored child back then.

They have reached 33 provinces and 44 cities, but the mission does not stop there because there are still a lot of people and places needing help to survive  but also to help themselves out of poverty and despair.

Like World Vision on Facebook and visit their Website at http://www.worldvision.org.ph/

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: WFP Continues Relief for Washi (Sendong) Victims

Photo Credit: WFP/Voltaire Domingo/Philippines

WFP Assists in the Philippine Government’s Tropical Storm Washi Efforts Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman are joined by World Food Programme Regional Director for Asia Kenro Oshidari, WFP Philippines Country Director and Representative Stephen Anderson, WFP Philippines Iligan City sub-office head Baicon Macaraya, and WFP National Ambassador Against Hunger KC Concepcion during groundbreaking rites at the Barangay Sta. Elena relocation site at Iligan City. WFP is supporting the government's relief and early recovery efforts for persons highly affected by Tropical Storm Washi. 

For more details see: http://www.wfp.org/rss Twitter: @wfp_asia and @wfp_philippines and @wfp_media Facebook: WFP Philippines

Also we like to encourage you to send your own videos about WFP and how hunger can be the most solvable problem today. Will post my video very soon! Now we have fellow blogger Flow Galindez to share his thoughts.

lungan

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: Rain4 Africa - A Lifeline to Africa Run

Third world helping Third world.

On November 13, 2011, People will race with a noble cause of raising awareness and channeling donations to East Africa (Horn of Africa), which is now facing the worst famine crisis in 20 years. This is the Rain 4 Africa - A Lifeline to Africa Run. All proceeds and donations made during the run will go straight to the World Food Programme’s initiatives. This project is also handled by the Lifeline Foundation.

PAGTUTULUNGAN.ORG: WFP Helps Philippine Government Reach Remote Areas Affected by Tropical Storm Washi (Sendong)

Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Philippine Government are extending the emergency response to Tropical Storm Washi to focus on remote, cut-off areas around Iligan City.


Working closely with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and with airlift support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, WFP has already supplied emergency food assistance to almost 3,300 people stranded in Mungulong, outside Iligan City.


Plans are now underway to airlift food rations to other isolated communities around Iligan City such as Panoroganan where almost a thousand people are in need, and Mainit, where another 1,350 people require assistance.