PH Champions Global Humanitarian Agenda by Renewing Pledges for UNHCR, ICRC, IFRC

Permanent Representative and Ambassador Evan P. Garcia announces the Philippines’ voluntary contribution to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

GENEVA 16 December 2022 – The Philippines vowed to continue its role as champion of humanitarian organizations and to uphold the country’s long-standing humanitarian tradition, during a series of appeals and pledging conferences organized by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

During the UNHCR Pledging Conference 2023 on 06 December 2022, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Evan P. Garcia announced the Philippines’ un-earmarked voluntary contribution of USD 100,000.00 to the UNHCR. He said that this is in line with the Philippines’ humanitarian tradition, having opened its doors to refugees and people fleeing persecution since the early 1900s. “We reaffirm our commitment to support the UNHCR’s important work of providing international protection and durable solutions to refugees,   stateless   persons,   asylum   seekers,   and   other   persons    of   concern,“ Ambassador Garcia stated.

Aside from the UNHCR, the Philippines also announced donations to the ICRC and IFRC. In recognition of their strong footprint in the country and constructive partnership with the government, the Philippines will increase its voluntary contributions to USD 50,000.00 each to these organizations in the coming year.

During the launch of the ICRC Annual Appeals for 2023 on 29 November 2022, the Philippines recognized the country’s 40 years of partnership with the ICRC. The Philippines noted the intersections between the government’s national priorities and the ICRC’s focus areas of work in the country, including on jail decongestion, detainees’ welfare, and disaster and displacement response.

During the launch of the IFRC 2023 Global Plan on 25 November 2022, the Philippines acknowledged the IFRC’s role in providing humanitarian assistance during disasters and other crises to local communities and groups in vulnerable situations. The Philippines also lauded the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) for supplementing government response to recent typhoons and in disaster recovery efforts

The Philippines is one of the few middle-income countries that has consistently been a donor to several major humanitarian organizations. The Philippines has also been calling for the international community to support humanitarian organizations and for all stakeholders to contribute to global burden and responsibility sharing.

“Our vision is for a wider range of stakeholders – governments, CSOs and private entities, large and small donors, hosting and non-hosting countries – to have their voices heard and contributions felt as active participants in the global humanitarian ecosystem.“ END

Left photo: Deputy Permanent Representative and Ambassador Maria Teresa T. Almojuela with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljarica during the launch of the ICRC Annual Appeals for 2023. Right photo: Permanent Representative and Ambassador Evan P. Garcia with IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain and Norwegian Permanent Representative Tine Mørch Smith during the launch of the IFRC 2023 Global Plan. (Geneva PM photo)

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