The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) thanked the partners and stakeholders who have expressed their support to the goal of the Department to continue improving its disaster response capabilities during the Humanitarian and Development Summit on Wednesday (September 4) in Ortigas Center, Pasig City.
“The DSWD has been fostering its partnership with various organizations, development partners, and stakeholders to continue to improve its disaster response capabilities. By working together, we believe that your technical support and expertise, will help us in our agenda to promote the whole-of-society approach necessary for disaster preparedness, risk reduction, and resilience building,” Secretary Rex Gatchalian said in his message, which was delivered by DSWD Undersecretary for Innovations Edu Punay.
The Summit served as a platform to promote inclusivity and collaboration between the government and the private sector in disaster response, risk reduction, and adaptive social protection.
The event also served as a venue to explore innovative partnerships by aligning current programs and encouraging discussions that will lead to policy development and enhance disaster risk reduction and management strategies.
One of the partners that expressed support to the goal of the Summit was the Government of the United States.
“The US government is proud to support the DSWD in holding this important summit today on how to effectively prepare for and respond to national disasters,” said U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director to the Philippines Ryan Washburn, who represented H.E. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson.
Meanwhile, World Food Programme-Philippines (WFP) Representative and Country Director Regis Chapman assured the Department that they will continue strengthening the Philippine government’s social protection system by supporting the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program, the Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished), and the emergency preparedness and response systems of the DSWD.
“WFP remains fully committed to championing the work of the DSWD and the government to uplift the lives of the Filipino people,” Chapman said.
Joining the event were some 350 participants from international development organizations, non-government organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), other private partners, and suppliers/manufacturers of food and non-food items.
These partners set up booths in the venue that showcased their capabilities, resources, and expertise on disaster response.
Aside from the booths, the event highlighted three breakout sessions that strategically addressed thematic issues and promoted areas for collaboration such as supply chain and logistics, digitalization and innovations, and food security.
DSWD’s Goal To Boost Agency’s Disaster Response Capability Gains Support From Local, Int’l Partners
