UNICEF and Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation forge strategic partnership

UNICEF Philippines/2024/Gillian Salvador

BANGKOK/MANILA - On World Humanitarian Day, UNICEF and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), the country’s major private sector coordinator for disaster management, launched a first-of-its-kind partnership to improve child-centered disaster risk management and resilience building with businesses and communities in East Asia and the Pacific.

UNICEF’s regional analysis of the Children’s Climate Risk Index reveals that 210 million children are highly exposed to cyclones; 120 million to coastal flooding; and 420 million children are highly exposed to air pollution. The Philippines is ranked first globally among countries with the highest disaster risk, according to the 2023 World Risk Report. The climate crisis is projected to increase the frequency of soaring heatwaves and the intensity of typhoons, endangering the lives of 40 million children in the country.

The partnership brings together PDRF, the Regional Office for East Asia and the Pacific and the Philippine Country Office through UNICEF’s Business and Community Resilience approach. Key areas of cooperation include increasing resilience, building capacities, and raising awareness on business-led and child-centered humanitarian actions at the regional, national and sub-national levels, in line with the Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action and promoting child rights and business principles. The agreement also aims to explore sector-level preparedness and response activities and standby arrangements for likely major disasters.

UNICEF Philippines is working with decision-makers to improve policies and budgeting on high-quality, inclusive, climate-smart, and shock-responsive social services for children. This includes social protection, health, education, child protection, climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene. Local disaster risk reduction planning has involved engaging children in identifying and developing climate action and disaster risk reduction solutions. Bringing the vibrant business sector into the mix promises to be game-changing.

PDRF is recognized as the Philippines’ main coordinator of more than 60 corporations and conglomerates dedicated to building the disaster risk management capabilities of the private sector in the country.

“The partnership between UNICEF and PDRF brings the private sector into the fight to do good in the world by focusing on the plight of children during disasters. They are often overlooked during an emergency, and yet are especially vulnerable. Working together, we can make life better for children not just in the Philippines but all over the world by serving as an example and a model for cooperation between the UN and the private sector,” said PDRF President Rene “Butch” Meily.

Regional Director June Kunugi said: “This agreement between UNICEF and the Foundation marks a significant step forward in our shared mission to protect children during times of disaster. By collaborating on business-led programs and preparedness initiatives, we are not only enhancing our disaster response but also building a future where the most vulnerable—our children—are safeguarded and empowered, both in the Philippines and across East Asia and the Pacific."

“No child should fear for their lives when disaster strikes. We are jointly reinforcing our commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind in our disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts and highlighting how private sector can be our great ally in this work,” Representative to the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said.

UNICEF and PDRF will work with international organizations, UN agencies, government agencies, civil society partnership and other private sector actors to explore innovative solutions and deliver results for children.