The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) successfully hosted the Humanitarian and Development Summit 2024 on September 4 in Ortigas, Pasig City. The summit aimed to garner support for enhancing disaster preparedness and response in the Philippines, bringing together local and international partners and stakeholders.
During a breakout session on Digitalization and Innovations on Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management facilitated by the Disaster Response Management Group (Group), the DSWD issued a call for support. The call encouraged partners to explore opportunities for strengthening existing partnerships and establishing new collaborations to enhance the department’s efforts.
In his keynote address, DRMB Director Michael Cristopher Mathay welcomed participants. Subsequently, Office of the Secretary (OSEC) Concerns and DRMG Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao highlighted the collaborative projects between DRMG and its partners in the areas of Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Management digitalization and innovation. Following this, WFP National Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Officer Mr. Krystian Harold Javier delivered a presentation on fortifying partnerships through digitalization and innovation initiatives.
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Representatives from the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UNFAO), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) expressed their appreciation for the DSWD’s dedication to serving the nation. They highlighted the crucial need to strengthen humanitarian assistance in the context of evolving crises and disasters.
Bureau Director Mathay urged for ongoing partnerships, emphasizing the importance of sustained action and scalability. He highlighted that collaborative efforts are not only crucial for addressing immediate needs but also for building long-term resilience and making a lasting difference in the lives of those living in poverty.
The program concluded with a ceremonial signing of the Pledge of Commitment, gathering signatures from both existing and potential partners who expressed their support for the disaster response and management implementation in the Philippines.
The event marked a significant milestone in the department’s efforts to foster borderless collaborative actions towards continuous social protection and humanitarian support.