11 February 2014 - Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) and other International Organizations in Geneva, met with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Antonio Guterres in Geneva to reaffirm the close relations of the Philippines with the UNHCR and express appreciation for the assistance of UNHCR for Filipino nationals caught in crisis in the Middle East; internally displaced persons, especially during Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

High Commissioner Guterres, praised the Philippine Government’s leadership in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and the admirable way it promotes and protects the rights of Filipino migrant workers. He underscored that “The Philippines is the most human rights minded country in the region”. He pledged the cooperation and collaboration of UNHCR in the Government’s efforts to respond to the needs of its people.

Ambassador Rebong emphasized to the High Commissioner that the Government is committed to the reconstruction and development of the areas devastated by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and assured that the Philippines will “Build Back Better.”

The Philippines is a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol and the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons which are cornerstones of the UNHCR.

Approximately 70 Filipino nationals work at the UNHCR headquarters and in its various offices worldwide. END