Presenting to partners its Humanitarian Strategic Response Plan, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA) through its Social Welfare Program conducted an official launching activity on August 28,2014 at Em Manor Hotel, Cotabato City.

Purpose of the activity is to inform humanitarian partners of the plan and to explore possible partnership in strengthening the agency’s mission of designing, leading and managing relief, rehabilitation and development projects to conflict-affected communities in Mindanao. The plan is expected to improve the BDA’s capacity to respond effectively and efficiently to the humanitarian needs of communities in the Bangsamoro particularly those vulnerable to natural and man-made calamities and those who are in emergency situations.

The Humanitarian Strategic Response Plan highlights the goal of the BDA to become a coordinating body of several humanitarian services it could possibly facilitate. Along with this plan is the recognition of the agency of the realities in the region – dynamics and vulnerabilities. Plans were identified in clusters – Protection, CCCM, Shelter, Food Security, Health, Education, WaSH, Environment, Livelihood, Logistics, and infrastructures.

While current efforts are focused on strengthening BDAs capacity to respond in emergencies, the BDA Humanitarian Team would like to embark also on disaster preparedness, mitigation and prevention as well as early recovery phase of the humanitarian response cycle.

The launching activity was graced by Dr. Mohammad S. Yacob, BDA Executive Director, Rhadzni Taalim member of BDA Board of Directors and Marco T. Boasso, Director-Global Administrative, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration – Philippines. Also present during the event were representatives from United Nations Office of the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and United Nations Population Funds (UNFPA).

Dr. Yacob highlighted the BDA’s mandate on humanitarian aspect that shall provide response to those communities in the conflict-affected areas in Mindanao affected by both natural and human-induced disasters. He further said that the agency is now on the stage of strengthening this recently launched humanitarian plan while it aims of sustaining it with the support of various humanitarian partners.

IOM through the UKAiD provides funding support to the BDA in enhancing the capacities of the Quick Response Team through the conduct of trainings related to disaster preparedness and response. The funding also supports the development of the BDA Humanitarian Strategic Response Plan.

UN Agencies present such as the OCHA, UNFPA, United Nation Children’s Fund (UNICEF) express their support to the implementation of the action plan by and through provision of technical assistance to the agency.

The agency stressed that the plan is a work in progress and will need a lot of expertise to better implement the plan and effectively provide assistance to the vulnerable, affected populations.