Italian Government Offers Food Assistance Program to Marawi Farmers

Despite some wrinkles in previous relations between representatives of the EU and The Philippines, European countries continue to reach out through aid and investments. The latest in aid was provided by the Italian government through a P12.4 million donation to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), and will benefit the Filipino farmers affected by the conflict in Marawi City.

The fighting between government forces and armed militant groups linked to the so-called Islamic State has devastated communities in Marawi City. Since it broke out in May 2017, the WFP has been providing support to the Philippine government by addressing the nutrition needs of these communities.

The contribution from the Italian government will help support 1,600 displaced farmers and their families over a period of three months. The food assistance will be given in exchange for the farmers’ participation in restoring communities through agricultural activities.

Together with its partners that include the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the Department of Agrarian Reform, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, WFP will train the farmers in rice and corn production, bio-intensive and vegetable gardening, and in inland fishpond tilapia farming. The training program will also include basic nutrition and food security sessions.

The Philippine government and WFP have already distributed rice and school meals to 128,000 people and more than 57,000 students respectively in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur where people affected by the conflict have relocated.

WFP has already planned out early recovery programs involving food and cash-based assistance. It’s also mobilizing additional resources to support its current operations until May.

via Manila Bulletin / Roy Mabasa