The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a$240,000 contribution from the Government of Italy to help 6,500 displaced people in Marawi to rebuild their livelihoods and access nutritious foods.
The Government of Italy’s contribution to WFP will support families over three months, providing them with cash assistance in exchange for their participation in livelihoods projects focused on fisheries and farming,
“WFP is grateful to the Government of Italy for their continued generous support to our recovery operations to address the food security and nutrition needs of communities affected by the Marawi crisis,” said Stephen Gluning, WFP Representative and Country Director. “Thanks to Italian support, WFP will be able to provide conditional cash assistance to 6,500 beneficiaries, complementing the Philippine Government’s operations.”
WFP will work in partnership with the Philippine Government, through the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, to implement of the project.
“As the rehabilitation of Marawi City continues, Italy stands with the Philippine Government in its efforts to assist the people of Marawi,” said Italian Ambassador Giorgio Guglielmino. “Our partnership with the World Food Programme will support the food needs of thousands of Filipinos as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods.”
In 2018, the Government of Italy provided PHP13.4 million (€300,000) to WFP to assist 1,600 displaced farmers and their families with food assistance and livelihood support, including rice and corn production, bio-intensive and vegetable gardening, as well as inland fishpond tilapia farming.
Since conflict between government forces and armed militant groups broke out in Marawi City in May of 2017, WFP through the support of its donors, has been working in partnership with the Government of the Philippines by addressing the food security and nutrition needs of conflict-affected communities.