UP-CIFAL Philippines holds webinar on food security and partnerships against hunger

24 May 2021 – The UP-CIFAL Philippines organized a webinar entitled, “CommUNITY for Food Security: Partnerships Against Hunger,” which presented how citizens could rise to collaborate with the local government to address issues in food security and nutrition. The virtual event was graced by the presence of the Country Representative and Director of World Food Programme, Ms. Brenda Barton, National Programme Officer for Nutrition of the World Food Programme, Dr. Martin Parreno, the Head of the Quezon City Sustainable Development Affairs Unit, Mr. Emmanuel Velasco, and the Representative of Community Pantry PH, Mr. Michael Non.

The pandemic magnified the increasing problem of food security especially to the most vulnerable groups in the country. With the aim to amplify the conversation of food security initiatives, the webinar highlighted how partnerships between the local government and the citizens could create more sustainable programs to fight hunger. Specifically, Mr. Velasco presented how the local government of Quezon City ensures food security by creating an integrated urban food system that involves home gardens, community farms, repurposing of available spaces, and partnerships with civil society organizations. Mr. Non shared the beginnings of the Maginhawa community pantry and how one small act of kindness became a national movement. He emphasized the importance of working together with the citizens, other community pantries, and the local government to reach more Filipinos as possible. And lastly, the WFP discussed achieving food security through a humanitarian and development approach by reinforcing three important phases – anticipatory emergency response, capacity building, and governance and partnerships.

WATCH THE VIDEO RECORDING HERE: