02 November 2015 – The Philippines joined more than 100 governments in expressing its support to the Agenda for the Protection of People displaced across borders in the context of disasters and the effects of climate change, a non-binding document that consolidates the outcome of a series of regional intergovernmental consultations and civil society meetings convened by the Nansen Initiative (NI).

The Nansen Initiative is a bottom-up, state-led consultative process with multi-stakeholder involvement launched in 2012 to build consensus and elements for addressing the needs of people displaced across international borders in the context of disasters, including the effects of climate change.

“States’ attendance to this Global Consultation is a strong testament as to how the Initiative has worked towards putting disaster displacement at the forefront of national issues of most States. The Philippines recognizes the risks involved and supports the vision expressed in the Agenda,” said Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Mateo Montano, co-head of the Philippine delegation to the NI Global Consultation, who delivered the Philippine Statement during the Consultation.

The Philippines recognizes that not all States may have the necessary framework to address disaster displacement across borders. Hence, the Philippines also called on the international community during the Global Consultation to provide capacity-building support to vulnerable and receiving States as well as regional organizations such as ASEAN, which has budding institutions and mechanisms (i.e., ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance (AHA) Center and the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response or AADMER), to develop and adopt appropriate policies, laws and regulations to realize the goals of the Agenda.

Chaired by Switzerland and Norway, the Nansen Initiative completed its two-day Global Consultation in Geneva, Switzerland recently. The Nansen Initiative, with States as primary stakeholders, is managed by a Steering Group that initiates, hosts, overviews and steers the process. The Philippines is a member of the Steering Group together with Australia, Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Germany, Kenya, and Mexico.

Ambassador Cecilia B. Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, and Undersecretary Montano, as head and co-head of the Philippine delegation, attended and actively participated in the different sessions of the Global Consultation.

Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Jesus R.S. Domingo was also a resource speaker for Thematic Panel 2: Managing Disaster Displacement Risk in the Country of Origin, where panelists, including governments, presented how they are applying a wide range of tools to reduce vulnerability and build the resilience of people at risk of disaster displacement.

 “In addressing response to displacement, and to disasters in general, we need a comprehensive approach not just focused on response but a holistic paradigm encompassing risk reduction, resilience, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and reconstruction,” said Assistant Secretary Domingo during his presentation. He also cited the different programs, tools and activities being conducted by the government to address disaster displacement in the country. “Ultimately, it is our people, our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, who face the brunt of hazards natural and man-made, who must be empowered and supported, that build our resilience vis-à-vis displacement,’ he concluded.

Other members of the Philippine delegation were Chief State Counsel Ricardo Paras of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Senior State Counsel Atty. Herminia Angeles of the DOJ, Atty. Cecille Corpuz of the Office of the President-Presidential Human Rights Committee-Secretariat, and Third Secretary Sharon Johnnette Agduma of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations and Other International Organizations.

More than 350 officials, ministers and representatives from international and non-governmental organizations as well as academics from over 100 countries attended the Consultation. END