June 18–20, 2025 | Geneva, Switzerland — Undersecretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe, MD, FPOGS of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), led the Philippine delegation to the 2025 UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Humanitarian Affairs Segment (HAS), calling for transformative, people-centered humanitarian action.
Held annually since 1998, the ECOSOC HAS brings together UN Member States, humanitarian actors, and development partners to confront today’s most pressing crises. This year’s theme, “Renewing global solidarity for humanity: saving lives, reducing suffering, and mobilizing solutions for humanitarian action,” framed four high-level panels:
- “The humanitarian reset: a dialogue with principals on the future of humanitarian action”;
- “The humanitarian consequences of armed conflict: promoting respect for and good practices in the application of international humanitarian law”;
- “Mobilizing and adapting humanitarian financing for an effective and efficient response”;
- “Reimagining the humanitarian system: innovative models to save lives, reduce suffering and promote peoples’ resilience and livelihoods”.
At the opening panel on “The Humanitarian Reset,” Usec. Cajipe emphasized the need to shift from transactional aid to shared global responsibility.
“Our national experience has taught us not to do business as usual,” said Usec. Cajipe. “The solution is to look at things another way—and do things differently.”
She outlined three core principles guiding the Philippines’ approach: anticipatory and risk-informed action, empowerment over dependency, and a principled, inclusive humanitarian practice.
Across the four panels, the delegation showcased Philippine innovations in emergency cash transfers, digital aid platforms, and community-driven programs like Balik Probinsya and KALAHI-CIDSS. The Philippines also underscored its strong adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL), promoting trauma-informed response, child protection laws, and depoliticized aid.
“Even in war, there are rules,” the delegation stated. “Humanitarian aid must never be politicized, denied, or delayed. To do so is inhumane and a violation of IHL.”
Usec. Cajipe reiterated the Philippines’ readiness to contribute to a renewed global humanitarian system:
“We must build a system that is lean, anticipatory, principled—and ultimately, more humane.”
Strengthening International Coordination
Following the event, Usec. Cajipe paid a courtesy call on June 20 to Deputy Permanent Representative Kristine Leilani Salle at the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the UN in Geneva. She was joined by First Secretary and Consul Atty. Andrea B. Leycano.
The meeting focused on the Philippines’ proactive approach to disaster risk reduction, innovations in anticipatory action, and strong engagement in IHL. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation and committed to closer coordination between DSWD and the Geneva Mission.
The discussion marked deeper collaboration between DSWD and the Philippine Mission in Geneva in addressing global humanitarian challenges.
