MAFAR SIGNS MOU WITH ACTION AGAINST HUNGER FOR A PROGRAM ON FOOD SECURITY
The MAFAR has partnered up with the Action Against Hunger through (AAH) through signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 23, 2020 held at the Office of Minister Dr Mohammad S. Yacob.
Geared towards attaining food security, the signing was made possible through the efforts of Delilah Chua, Head, AAH Cotabato Base and her team and with AAH Country Director Thierry Laurent-Badin via Zoom.
The MOU stipulates the implementation of the program called “Strengthening Local Resilience and Building Capacities in Areas at High Risk of Natural Hazards in BARMM, Mindanao-Philippines” that mainly aims to improve the Bangsamoro particularly in the province of Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur.
The program shall be carried out with three components namely (1) Risk Management Policy and Practice which aims to improve local government and communities’ capacity in preparing for and mitigating disaster impact through training and planning processes; (2) Agriculture and Food Security that aims to improve agri and aquaculture production systems and food security; and (3) Economic Recovery and Market Systems that aims to improve local communities’ access to market and financial services.
Minister Yacob extended his gratitude to the AAH for their sincere commitment. He informed the officials of the major objective of the ministry that is to develop and improve the lives of the Bangsamoro people. Thus, the partnership program shall target the needy people to sustain their livelihood and uplift their economic condition. The MAFAR Chief then hoped for longer collaboration with the AAH for more improved communities.
Meanwhile, Country Director Badin expressed that he was happy and inspired despite the hard situation that everyone is in with the COVID-19 pandemic. Badin said he is looking forward for the program to address the needs of the people in the Bangsamoro and open doors for them to be food secure with the established collaboration.
The MOU signing was also witnessed by MAFAR Chief of Staff Arphia Ebus, Chief of Operations for Agriculture Engr. Ismail A. Guiamel, Program Officer for Fisheries Pendatun S. Patarasa and other leading officials of the MAFAR and AAH.