MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur, Oct 23 (PIA) -- The European Union (EU) has turned over P312 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) to provide livelihood to conflict-affected families in Mindanao.
The grant of EUR 5.9 million (or P312 million) under the Aid to Uprooted People Programme will fund the project "Enhancing the Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons in Central Mindanao by Strengthening Livelihoods" for a period of two years, according to the statement issued by Thelma Gecolea, Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines Public Affairs Officer on Monday.
The grant aims to boost the livelihood recovery of 50,000 families or 300,000 persons displaced by the past conflict in Mindanao.
WFP will lead the program implementation in close collaboration with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
"As a major development partner in poverty alleviation in Mindanao since 1990, this grant is a strong re-affirmation of the European Union's support to the development of Mindanao, and this will no doubt continue in the light of the recent peace Framework Agreement," EU Ambassador Guy Ledoux said.
He said that this support will directly address poverty alleviation for the poorest in Mindanao, especially during the crucial transition phase following the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Philippine Government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).
“We are very grateful to the EU for their continuous assistance to WFP and its work in the Philippines. In part, the EU in the Philippines is proactively promoting the Mindanao peace process through this significant and timely EU grant which will enable WFP to help conflict-affected communities quickly recover and rebuild,” said WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director Stephen Anderson.
To formalize the partnership, a ceremonial signing between the EU and WFP was held yesterday, October 22, at the DSWD office in Quezon City.
Aside from the top officials of EU and WFP, the signing was also graced by DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman, Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Secretary Teresita Quintos-Deles, United Nations Resident Coordinator Luiza Carvalho, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Mujiv Hataman and Mike Pasigan of the MILF Peace Panel.
Secretary Soliman said the EU's support through WFP, a partner of the DSWD, is a welcome development that is expected to boost and complement the government’s efforts to achieve sustainable peace and development in Mindanao.
The EU press release also quoted Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of the MILF negotiation panel, saying that the MILF is greatly encouraged by the show of support for the peace process.
“The MILF greatly appreciates the help EU has extended to promote peace in Mindanao, and to improve the living conditions of the people, especially the internally displaced persons. This assistance will facilitate the work ahead, as we move towards achieving peace and development for the Bangsamoro," he said. (EU/APB/PIA-10)
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