Leaving behind your home is a choice for many, but for families dealing with conflicts or calamities, it is a sacrifice they have to make to ensure their safety. Their lives may be at risk, jobs, and incomes can be destroyed, food sources can be limited or become more expensive, and children’s access to education may be interrupted.
We have been providing humanitarian assistance to IDPs in the Philippines for over 20 years now. Our projects directly support the displaced & affected populations, and even host communities so that all people have equal abilities and opportunities to lead more fulfilling lives.
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/AAH2-2.jpg640959Adminhttps://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.pngAdmin2021-03-27 09:00:242021-04-12 14:43:31Leaving Behind Your Home Is a Choice For Many, But For Families Dealing With Conflicts or Calamities, It Is a Sacrifice
Clashes between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and a faction of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) on March 18 has displaced more than 3,000 individuals in several municipalities in Maguindanao: Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Shariff Saidona Mustapha, Shariff Aguak, and Mamasapano.
“Based on the information gathered, the fighting is still ongoing. This will result in more people forced to leave their homes for safety,” said Delilah Chua, Head of Base for Cotabato. “Just in a span of one day, we have seen the number of families practically doubling in number. When we validated the Pendililang evacuation center on March 20, it was 269. The next day, the number jumped to 419. In the Barangay Salbu evacuation center, the same thing happened as well: from 271 it increased to 425 the very next day.”
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/AAH1-1.jpg433693Adminhttps://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.pngAdmin2021-03-25 13:00:222021-04-12 14:43:38Providing Emergency Non-food Items and Hygiene Kits to a Total of 540 Families Temporarily Taking refuge in Datu Pendililang Piang Elementary School and Mahad Madrasa in Barangay Salbu
Water is a basic necessity in our daily lives. However, 7 million Filipinos still depend on unsafe and unsustainable water sources. In some isolated communities, reliable water sources are sometimes inaccessible.
Access to clean and safe water is crucial is a key element in fighting hunger and malnutrition. This is why we have been providing technical assistance and training programs to local communities in facilitating water, sanitation and hygiene projects in areas where such coverage is lacking.
This #WorldWaterDay, let’s provide access to safe and sustainable water for more Filipino communities.
(Photo by Jasper Llanderal for Action Against Hunger)
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/AAH3-1.jpg960960Adminhttps://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.pngAdmin2021-03-22 09:00:212021-04-03 10:21:29As We Celebrate #WorldWaterDay, We Recognize 7 Million Filipinos Who Still Depend On Unsafe And Unsustainable Water Sources
One of the ways we empower women is through our livelihood programs. Across the communities we work with, we provide them with knowledge and proper tools to enable them to be financially resilient.
These women from Barangay Ilomavis in Kidapawan City are uniting their efforts in forming a cash savings group (CSG) for emergencies. Their barangay was one of the hardly affected barangays during the series of Mindanao Earthquakes back in 2019.
Photo by Louie Bullanday for Action Against Hunger
Following this, our MOVE UP 4 Project introduced these women to the CSG as one of the mechanisms to build financial independence and resilience for their households. Aside from the emergency funds they managed to save, they have also gained more confidence from being able to provide financial stability for their family during emergency situations like disasters or the pandemic.
We celebrate the success of these women and hope to empower more through the work that we do, one community at a time.
Written by Lyndon Arbes, Louie Bullanday, Joyce Sandajan Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union, or the consortium members. Neither the European Union nor any of the consortium members can be held responsible for them.
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/AAH2-1.jpg720960Adminhttps://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.pngAdmin2021-03-19 09:00:202021-09-20 07:52:52Forming A Cash Savings Group (CSG) For Emergencies In Kidapawan City
Charity “Cha” Magdadaro, one of our Project Assistants for our Typhoon Ulysses (Vamco) Response in Cagayan shared with us her insights as a humanitarian worker for eight years now. Get to know Cha and find out what makes her one of our Real Life Heroes.
What motivates you to become a humanitarian worker?
I started working as a humanitarian volunteer in 2013. After few involvements, I tried jobs in the industrial field, but my heart always searched for a job that works with the community. Working in this field gives me deeper satisfaction than other jobs. I witnessed a huge need of change that most communities in the Philippines need, and the small, step-by-step impact of humanitarian intervention to communities always makes a big difference.
Being able to witness children learning, mothers accepting new knowledge, and empowering the members of community – these things are priceless.
Why are you making this sacrifice?
With the challenges that the pandemic we are all facing and the calamities that heap up the burden of the vulnerable community, it is not easy to just ignore it. Humanitarian work is needed. Someone needs to do it. Someone needs to be there. I am answering the call.
What have been the challenges to your work because of the COVID-19 pandemic?
Due to budgetary constraints, we could not help all the people needing assistance. We had to be selective and narrow down our beneficiaries to the most vulnerable sector of the population.
Several of our planned activities have also been postponed due to community quarantine initiatives that the LGUs imposed. Within the community, the challenges of involving senior citizens, pregnant and lactating women and other vulnerable members of the community had been tough since they were the ones not allowed to be in social gathering, not even allowed to go out.
But then, beyond the mentioned challenges, the risk of being with a lot of people amid this pandemic is the most weighing burden I have. The heightened sense of protecting myself for the sake of my family, friends and the team is always the priority. With all the tasks I have to accomplish every day, this is a big challenge.
What motivates you to keep doing your work even with these challenges?
Helping the community is what drives me to keep going. Being an avenue to meet the immediate needs of the community is a fulfilling moment. 3 months after Typhoon Goni, some of our beneficiaries still live in tents in evacuation centers. The most common profile of the people we help are families with pregnant and lactating mothers do not earn a living wage and Senior Citizens with chronic ailments. Our interventions help them sustain hope despite the flooding and the pandemic that had caused them to lose so much.
The impact of the assistance I help deliver to the community outweighs the personal risks that the pandemic brings.
What are you most proud of?
I am proud of the team I am with in this emergency response. Despite the pandemic, we are still able to achieve our purpose in the community. There is always that challenge to strike the balance between taking a risk and protecting ourselves. Nonetheless, my team works hard, sacrificing things in life, just to do their job at its best.
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/AAH1-1.png800800Adminhttps://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.pngAdmin2021-03-18 09:00:172021-09-27 12:52:20Real Life Heroes – Cha Magdadaro
7-year-old Abdul Khalid was a healthy baby boy when he was born but when he turned one, his mother, Salma, noticed that his legs started becoming weaker and thinner. Since then, Abdul Khalid’s parents have been preoccupied with attending to his special needs.
Because of his condition, he needs to be carried most of the time which limits his parents’ daily activities and sometimes holds them back in doing farm activities and other livelihood opportunities.
Last December 8, 2020, Abdul Khalid was one of the selected beneficiaries for the health mission conducted at Saguiaran Multipurpose Hall in Saguiran, Lanao del Sur. The activity was facilitated by Action Against Hunger together with the municipal health officer (MHO) and staff of the regional health unit (RHU).
Through the health mission, Abdul Khalid was granted with a wheelchair which was delivered on February 23, 2021 with the support and coordination of the MHO and the local government unit’s focal for health.
Upon receiving the wheelchair, Abdul Khalid’s father, Malic, expressed his gratitude for the health assistance. Because they no longer have to carry their son all the time, this will be a big help in carrying out their daily activities more efficiently, thus giving Salma and Malic more time to focus on their livelihoods and at the same time improving their son’s quality of life.
This health & protection intervention is part of our 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁-𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼 (𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛). The project is funded by the EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid – ECHO and is implemented together with CARE Philippines, Oxfam Pilipinas, and their local partners.
(Photo by Jonairah Alingan for Action Against Hunger)
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.png00Adminhttps://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.pngAdmin2021-03-11 09:00:422021-03-19 10:28:48Providing A Wheelchair As Part Of Our Response to the Unmet Humanitarian Needs of The Most Vulnerable Conflict-Affected Populations in Mindanao (REACH) Project
This International Women’s Month 2021, we asked some of our mission’s women leaders on what gender issue they #ChooseToChallenge, and how they use their voices to empower women around them.
Our Finance Manager, Ms. Jessa Marie Junco, chose to challenge gender inequality.
“Gender equality has evolved through time, but not truly fixed. We must look towards the real involvement of women, at all levels and for every role as all universal values have nothing to do with gender. Without equality, our freedom is fragile and vulnerable.” – Jessa Marie
This International Women’s Month 2021, we asked some of our mission’s women leaders on what gender issue they #ChooseToChallenge, and how they use their voices to empower women around them.
Our HR Manager, Ms. Juvilee “Juvi” Anne Ravanera, chose to challenge gender injustice in daily life and commits to reject sexist and racist attitudes and consider ways to support the promotion of women in arts, sciences, sports, politics, and other fields.
“As a leader, I help make the organization an inclusive place to work by hiring the best person available for every open position without having any assumptions or prejudices about it being a man or a woman’s job, train and compensate team members based on position and contribution regardless of gender, and implement policies that are fair enough, gender-sensitive and against any type of discrimination and harassment,” shares Juvi.
In celebration of 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we asked some of our mission’s women leaders on what gender issue they #ChooseToChallenge, and how they use their voices to empower women around them.
Our REACH Head of Project, Ms. Sitti Mhuriza Mamasalagat, chose to challenge people’s thoughts that are less important than what you feel for yourself. “We are unique, we are all different, but we are all equal,” she says.
Ms. Sitti commits to continue educating people that despite of our own differences, we should respect one another and give a chance, for we all have our great contribution to make a better society.
As a leader, she empowers both women and men of her team to be listened to, to trust their inner strength and self-instinct in decision-making. She adds that “by these opportunities, in their failure and success, they have learned and respected every teammate.”
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.png00Adminhttps://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.pngAdmin2021-03-08 15:00:182021-03-19 10:29:43In Celebration of International Women’s Day, Our REACH Head of Project #ChooseToChallenge People’s Thoughts That Are Less Important Than What You Feel For Yourself
Overtime, many of protractedly internally displaced persons (IDPs) in host-communities are living uncomfortably due to small spaces, some with less privacy and dilapidated shelters, and toilets outside their houses have no lighting especially at night.
Since November 2020, we have managed to provide basic shelter kits, sleeping and kitchen kits, and solar lamps to 600 hundred households in the municipalities of Madamba, Kapai, Balindong, Saguiaran in Lanao Del Sur, and Pantao Ragaat, Lanao Del Norte. The distributions were held in coordination with the local government for the deliveries and co-facilitating the activities.
Beneficiaries have since been able to repair their homes using the materials from the shelter kits.
This intervention is part of our 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗩𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁-𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗼’ (𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛). The REACH project is funded by the EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid – ECHO and is implemented together with CARE Philippines, Oxfam Pilipinas, and their local partners.
https://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/AAH1.jpg720960Adminhttps://actionagainsthunger.ph/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/logo_text_orig.pngAdmin2021-03-01 13:00:402021-03-19 10:29:53Beneficiaries of Basic Shelter Kits In The Municipalities of Madamba, Kapai, Balindong, Saguiaran in Lanao Del Sur, and Pantao Ragaat, Lanao Del Norte Have Been Able to Repair Their Homes
