National Stability and Human Security
Australia’s contribution to conflict prevention and peace-building, to usher sustainable poverty reduction and promote a stable environment, centres on enhancing human security and national stability through peace, development and stability initiatives by: a) taking a pro-active stance and supporting activities in peace-building in Mindanao, strengthening peace-relevant institutions, building constituencies for peace and supporting the Moro National Liberation Front- Government of the Philippines peace agreement; b) strengthening counter-terrorism capacity and assisting with other transboundary threats of national or regional concern, such as infectious disease control and surveillance, HIV/AIDS, and human trafficking; c) by improving delivery of basic health and malaria services for vulnerable women and children in poor areas particularly in Southern Philippines, increasing support to family planning education and advocacy, and to populations of particular disadvantage especially women and children; and d) supporting emergency response and disaster preparedness capacity.
GOP-UN Multi-Donor Program for Mindanao / ACT for Peace
Australian Grant: A $34.4 million
Duration: 1997 to 2010
Implementing Agency: United Nations Development Program
GOP Counterparts: Mindanao Economic Development Council Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
Website: http://www.gop-unmdp.org/
Since 1997, Australia remains the largest contributor to the Government of the Philippines-UN Multi-Donor Program (GOP-UNMDP) with contribution of A$ 34.4 million until 2010. GOP-UNMDP assists MNLF members and their families to return to mainstream society and contribute to the peace and development efforts in Mindanao. The Program has assisted MNLF members and conflict-affected/war-torn communities by providing them basic services such as household water supply systems and toilets, school buildings and community health centres and agri-based livelihood programs.
Now on Phase 4, the Program now known as Action for Conflict Transformation (ACT) for Peace has helped establish more than 200 peace and development communities (PDCs) in Mindanao. PDCs are continuously being trained to initiate and manage their own livelihood and basic services projects. Aside from its focus on MNLF families and communities, the fourth phase will consolidate, expand and sustain the peace-building gains made during the first three phases and will also reach out to other post-conflict, conflict-affected, and conflict-vulnerable groups, especially indigenous people's areas.
GRP-UNMDP is implemented in partnership with UN Agencies, Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo), local governments and NGOs.
Counter-Terrorism Assistance Package
Australian Grant: A $10 million
Duration: 2003 to 2010
Combating terrorism is a high priority for the Governments of the Philippines and Australia. During his visit to Manila in July 2003, Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced a three-year A$5 million package of counter-terrorism assistance to the Philippines. In 2004, the Australian Government announced that it would double its counter-terrorism assistance to the Philippines from A$5 million to A$10 million. Total time period of both pledges is around seven years.
The collaboration on counter-terrorism capacity building covers the following areas:
Law Enforcement. Improving the capability of Philippine law enforcement agencies (Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Centre for Transnational Crime) to address counter-terrorism issues collaboratively at both the strategic and operational levels.
Border Control. Enhancing the Philippines' border management by improving the government's capacity to deter irregular migration and people smuggling through better detection of fraudulent travel documents.
Port Security. Strengthening the capacity of key Philippine agencies to develop plans and manage port security. A priority is to ensure that Filipino ports meet International Maritime Organisation standards on port security.
Regional Cooperation. Supporting sub-regional port-to-port security cooperation meetings and workshops, bringing together customs, immigration, quarantine and security officials from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction and Development Program (MTF-RDP)
• Australian Grant: A$ 500,000
As soon as the Moro Islamic Liberation Front enters into a peace agreement with the Philippine Government, Australia is committed to provide a bigger contribution in the overall effort to ensure the sustainability of peace and development in Mindanao. Australia has in fact already provided assistance even without the peace agreement by contributing A$500,000 to the World Bank-managed, multi-donor Mindanao Trust Fund-Reconstruction Development Program (MTF-RDP). Phase 1 focuses on building the capacity of the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA), who will play a critical role in implementing reconstruction and development aspects when a peace agreement with MILF is concluded. Initial activities in six (6) pilot CACs in Mindanao, is likely to be expanded to forty (40) additional pilot sites. Australia will consider expanded assistance for Phase 2 of the trust fund once a peace agreement is finalized. The Trust Fund is jointly chaired by the World Bank and the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP).
Supporting Peace in Mindanao (SPIM)
• Australian Grant: A$ 750,000
Supporting Peace in Mindanao (SPIM) is an overarching umbrella for a range of peace and livelihood initiatives in Mindanao. Australia recognises and supports the important role of youth, media and interfaith groups in peace-building and conflict prevention in Mindanao.
Australian initiatives have brought together Muslim, Christian and indigenous young people for sharing of knowledge on how to implement peace projects in their communities; interfaith groups in regional and national interfaith dialogues; and the media in improving peace reporting in the Philippines. These efforts included youth peace camps involving 60 youth delegates; videoconference series participated in by 8,000 young Filipinos including young soldiers and former MILF and New Peoples Army recruits; 70 delegates from the Philippines and other Asian countries sharing their peace-building experiences; and 16 Mindanao-based print and broadcast media practitioners in improving peace reporting.
Human Rights Small Grants Scheme (HRSGS)
Australian Grant: A$94,000
Duration: June 2006 to August 2007
Website: www.ausaid.gov.au/keyaid/humanrights.cfm
The Human Rights Small Grants Scheme (HRSGS), a joint initiative of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and AusAID, provides small grants to organisations to develop their capacities to promote and protect human rights. Projects funded by the HRSGS facilitate education and training of human rights workers; encourage adherence to international human rights standards; promote national and regional human rights institutions; and promote awareness and education on human rights and democratic principles.
In the Philippines, the Commission on Human Rights was provided A$ 41,034 under HRSGS for the “Trainors’ Training Workshop on Enforced Involuntary Disappearance”. Three regional 3-day workshops in Metro Manila, Tacloban, Legaspi and Davao cities will be held from December 2006 to August 2007. These workshops aim to: a) formulate an acceptable legislation/enactment of the proposed Enforced Disappearance Act; b) concretize CHR programs addressing human rights cases and issues particularly on disappearances and role of civil society groups and their implementation; and c) put in place GO-NGO mechanisms and programs of actions in the investigation and monitoring of cases of disappearances. Participants include national and regional staff of CHR, agencies under the executive branch (DOJ, PNP/DILG, PAO, NBI, DND-Protection, DSWD-Social services).
From June 2006-2007, HRSGS assisted the People’s Organization for Social Transformation (POST) with a A$ 52,888 funding to implement the “Mainstreaming Human Rights Advocacy Among Indigenous Peoples, Grassroots Organizations, Schools and Barangay Councils” project. The project focused on community awareness raising (trainings, seminars, community fora, photo exhibits and film showing, radio program), setting up of Human Rights (HR) Committees and human rights sustainability fund for income-generating activities in five (5) villages in Alfonso Lista, Ifugao.
Emergency Response and Disaster Preparedness
AusAID’s disaster preparedness and emergency response mechanism helps address the impacts of conflicts, crises and disasters on vulnerable populations.
Australia’s Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Response Facility for the Philippines, amounting to A$6.45 million from 2006-2008, include:
- Avian Influenza preparedness project with the Department of Health (A$ 400,000). Provision of personal protective equipment for health workers of referral hospitals for avian/pandemic influenza preparedness and conduct of capacity building/training on basic infection control/hospital preparedness and response.
- Multi-Hazards Assessment for Effective Community-based Disaster Risk Management (READY) Project with the UN Development Program and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (A$ 2.5 million). Involves mapping of areas vulnerable to hazards and disasters, establishment of community-based early warning system, and development of IEC materials and campaign
- Community-Based Disaster Preparedness Program – Project 143 with the Philippine National Red Cross (A$ 0.8 million). Involves establishment of establishment of community disaster action teams, capacity building on disaster preparedness, and provision of equipment and gears
- Technical Linkages between Australia and Philippines (A$ 0.5 million)
- Immediate response in times of disasters. In 2006-2007, Australia’s assistance to displaced victims and survivors of several disasters that struck the Philippines amounted to almost A$ 2.5 million. Australian aid was used to provide relief goods, emergency and rehabilitation assistance to restore shelter, schools, clinics and other public buildings.
Agusan del Sur Malaria Control and Prevention Project
Australian Grant: A$3.9 million
Duration: 2001 to 2004
Project Site: Agusan del Sur
Implementing Agencies: Department of Health (DOH) Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur
The Malaria Control and Prevention Project, which helped reduce the spread of malaria in Agusan del Sur, was implemented from 2001-2004 in cooperation with the DOH and the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur. Eighty-four percent of Agusan del Sur's 308 barangays were classified as endemic for malaria.
The project helped reduce the transmission of malaria in hyper endemic areas by raising community awareness of malaria prevention strategies; establishing a community volunteer program for malaria control utilising existing barangay health worker networks; developing a community-based financing scheme to sustain malaria control activities; and introducing local malaria surveillance systems.
A community trust fund (CTF) has been established with Australian seed capital and currently serves as a sustainable source of funding to supplement the cost of critical malaria control supplies for the province. The Agusan for People's Health Development Foundation Inc has been organised to manage the CTF. AusAID, as part of the Project Coordinating Committee, will have oversight of the CTF until December 2007.
Scaling Up Efforts to Roll Back Malaria in Mindanao
Australian Grant: A$ 2.9 million
Duration: 2004-2007
Project Sites: Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, ARMM and CARAGA
Implementing Agency: World Health Organization
The A$2.9-million Roll Back Malaria in Mindanao initiative, implemented from 2004 to 2007 in partnership with World Health Organization, aims to reduce malaria transmission, morbidity and mortality in high incidence provinces of Mindanao by 50 percent.
The project takes pride in its Border Malaria Operations where a team of health workers from provinces with border disputes converge at a point and offer to the people a range of malaria prevention and treatment services.
Key objectives of this project are to: improve the quality of prompt diagnosis of malaria at all levels and to provide effective treatment as per national guidelines; enhance the effectiveness of vector control by increasing Insecticide Treated Net coverage targeted at pregnant women, infants and other vulnerable groups and by other measures as appropriate; enhance and streamline the network for surveillance system to control epidemics in low endemic areas and prevent mortality; increase the level of awareness within the community by developing information, education, and communication materials targeted at school children and indigenous peoples; deliver malaria control and prevention programs to internally displaced people and in areas with law and order problems; and carry out relevant operational social research activities.
Support to UNICEF’s 6th Country Program for Children (CPC VI) - The Child Friendly Movement: Accelerated Efforts to Reduce Disparities in the Southern Philippines
• Australian Contribution: A$ 22,262,387
• Duration: 2005 to 2009
• Project Sites: Davao City, Saranggani, Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat, Agusan del Sur, Zamboanga del Sur, Sulu, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Northern Samar
• Implementing Agency: UNICEF
• Local Counterpart: National Economic Development Authority Department of Health
Department of Education
Department of Social Welfare and Development Department of Justice Council for the Welfare of Children
Philippine Information Agency
LGUS of Antique, Capiz, Cebu City, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Agusan Del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao City, Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat, Sulu, and Zamboanga del Sur
Numerous national and local non-governmental organisations, faith based organisations and community groups
Australia’s contribution to UNICEF’s Sixth Country Program for Children (CPC VI) supports the Philippine Government’s implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children through a national ‘Child-Friendly Movement’. The program supports a range of activities, such as education, maternal and children protection including universal immunisation, pre-natal care, and child growth monitoring. The project also provides support to local government units in establishing legislated
frameworks that give priority to children through adequate investment in basic services.
Advocating for a Stronger, More Responsive Population and Reproductive Health Policy and Program
Australian Grant: A$ 1,292,683
Duration: June 2005 to May 2008
Project Sites: AusAID assistance covers selected activities in the provinces of Ifugao, Mountain Province, Masbate, Bohol, Eastern Samar, Sultan Kudarat, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi and the cities of Metro Manila, Cebu, Davao and Olongapo
Implementing Agencies: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in collaboration with the Commission on Population (Department of Health); the Philippine Legislators Committee on Population and Development; the Philippine NGO Council for Health, Population and Welfare; the Forum for Family Planning and Development; and the Employers Confederation of the Philippines
This project has been formulated within the context of the 6th UNFPA Country Programme (6th CP) of Assistance to the Government of the Philippines for the period 2005-2009. Strategic interventions of the 6th CP include: reduction of fertility, improvement of maternal health, prevention of HIV/AIDS, and promotion of adolescent reproductive health which are based on the national priority areas identified in the United Nations Development Assistance Framework. The 6th CP has three component areas: reproductive health, population and development strategies (PDS), and gender. This project falls under the component area of PDS.
As an integral component of the 6th CP, the project aims to improve the reproductive health of the Filipino people by building an enhanced policy environment that supports population, reproductive health, and gender programs.
Institutionalising Adolescent Reproductive Health through Lifeskills-based Education
Australian Grant: A$ 1,301, 914
Duration: June 2005 to December 2009
Project Sites: AusAID assistance covers all activities in Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Sultan Kudarat, Eastern Samar and Bohol
Implementing Agency: UNFPA in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd )
Under the Reproductive Health component of UNFPA's 6th CP, DepEd is implementing this project to contribute to the attainment of the 6th CP reproductive health outcomes and outputs.
The project aims to enhance the overall wellness of the adolescent vis-à-vis his/her physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual development and contribute to better learning outcomes by enhancing the provision of quality adolescent reproductive health education designed to address the adolescent's interests, capability, needs, concerns and other reproductive health-related requirements; providing school and community-based reproductive health services to adolescents; promoting program advocacy through a variety of social mobilisation efforts and strategies among different stakeholders, duty bearers, claimholders and general public; installing a systematic planning, implementation, research and documentation, monitoring and evaluation scheme for a sustainable reproductive health program for adolescents; and building models for ARH programs in schools and communities.
Australian Volunteers
Australian aid has a "face" - the volunteers. One of the major volunteer initiatives of Australia is the Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Program. Young Australian men and women volunteer and work abroad to apply their skills and expertise to assist development projects and help strengthen mutual understanding between Australia and its neighbours in the Asia-Pacific Region.
Australian Youth Ambassadors work for 6 to 12 months in places and assignments identified by host organisations in developing countries to meet specific needs or skills. They are engaged in work either in government, local business, educational or community service organisations. Over 50 Australian Youth Ambassadors have served in the Philippines since 1998. For further information, log on to www.manila.sagric.com/home/index.htm or www.ausaid.gov.au/youtham
Other Australian volunteer groups operating in the Philippines are the Australian Business Volunteers (ABV) and the Australian Volunteers International (AVI).
ABV contributes to sustainable growth in developing communities through the transfer of knowledge and workplace skills, using volunteer expertise. For further information, log on to www.abv.org.au
AVI is Australia's largest and most experienced international volunteer sending agency. Every year, it sends out hundreds of Australians who volunteer to live alongside people of other cultures and work towards the sustainable development of communities.
AVI's work is aimed at creating a peaceful and just world through greater cross-cultural understanding. It is built on an ethos of partnership, teamwork and consultation. For further information, log on to www.australianvolunteers.com