The European Union’s Aid to Uprooted People will fund the program “Enhancing the Resiliency of Internally-Displaced Persons in Central Mindanao by Strengthening Livelihoods” to be implemented for a period of two years and expected to benefit 50,000 families in the region.
“The EU contribution will provide sustainable resettlement of displaced people and support in the longer-term recovery process,” according to an EU statement.
The grant will fund the development of small-scale granaries, watershed management, reforestration, agro-forestry and mangrove plantation as well as “food for work” and cash for work” programs for cooperatives and farmers.
The United Nations World Food Program (UN WFP) will be the lead implementing agency in cooperation with the Department of Social Welfare, Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Department of Environment.
The grant was given soon after the forging of the Framework Agreement creating the Bangsamoro, widely hailed to end the decades-long insurgency in Mindanao.
The EU has earlier provided a grant of P462 milliion to finance the humanitarian, rehabilitation and development component of the International Monitoring Team of the Mindanao peace process as announced in July.
The EU has been a major development partner in poverty alleviation in Mindanao since 1990, according to EU Ambassador Guy Ledous. “This grant is a strong reaffirmation of the EU’s support to the development of Mindanao, and this will no doubt continue in the light of the recent peace framework agreement,” he said in the statement.
In the same statement, MILF Negotation Panel chairman
Mohager Iqbal expressed the MILF’s appreciation for EU’s show of support for the peace process. “This assistance will facilitate the work ahead, as we move towards achieving peace and development for the Bangsamoro.”
Photo: from Philstar.com
