11 December 2020, Manila — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Moving Urban Poor Communities Towards Resilience (MOVE UP) project signed a Memorandum of Understanding today to jointly promote and strengthen resilience, disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation strategies in communities and all levels of governance.

The MOVE UP project, funded by the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (EU-ECHO), is an urban resilience project that aims to help in institutionalizing urban resilience and disaster preparedness mechanisms for urban poor communities across the Philippines. The project is implemented by a consortium of international non-government organizations lead by Action Against Hunger Philippines, with Plan International Philippines, and CARE Philippines, and its local partner ACCORD.

“Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding or MOU between DSWD and the MOVE UP consortium on collaboration to promote and strengthen resilience, disaster risk reduction and management, and climate change adaptation is a testament of our commitment to support the most vulnerable especially during these trying times,” said DSWD Secretary Rolando Bautista.

Specifically, the MOU will facilitate the partnership between the consortium and the DSWD- Sustainable Livelihood Program in developing disaster-resilient livelihoods and to DSWD – Disaster Response Management Bureau in developing Alternative Temporary Shelter (ATS) to safeguard the rights of the internally displaced population (IDP).

“While it is important to sustain resilience building in the LGUs, aligning with the programs of and building partnerships with key institutions is equally, if not, more important. Leading the way, of course, is the DSWD and Sustainable Livelihood Program and also the Disaster Response and Management Bureau,” said Suresh Murugesu, Action Against Hunger Philippines Deputy Country Director.

“From the start, we saw the potential for synergy — particularly in our shared vision on ensuring the protection of IDPs through Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM),” Sindhy Obias, ACCORD Executive Director, added.

Implementing since 2016, the MOVE UP project has already documented significant learnings in promoting disaster resilience in the communities, which has been vital in its efforts to contribute to the updating of national-level policies and plans.

“From lessons and successes with partner communities and LGUs, MOVE UP had the opportunity of contributing to the provisions in the recently updated National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan (2020-2030),” said CARE Philippines Country Director David Gazashvili.

Through this partnership, the MOVE UP project hopes to reach more people and amplify its efforts in its goal to achieve urban resilience.

“We, in the civil society sector, are very much willing to extend our expertise in helping DSWD perform its mandate and achieve its vision. It’s our pleasure to work with you, co-create knowledge, and collaborate to strengthen our dedication to shared principles, and expand our ability to improve the lives of poor, vulnerable, and disadvantaged sectors,” said Chrisnobel Cruz, Plan International Philippines OIC-Country Program Manager.

Authored by:
Claudine Complativo
Communications and Advocacy Specialist
MOVE UP Project
Email: [email protected]