UNHCR-PDRF collaboration to mainstream the centrality of protection in the emergency response for and with IDPs
IDP PROTECTION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR | Together, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and its private sector network are working towards mainstreaming IDP Protection for the emergency response of the Philippine private sector. During a two-day capacity building, PDRF looked into ways to mainstream IDP protection into their current plans and programs.
As part of the efforts to expand the Philippines’ protection space for and with internally displaced people (IDPs), UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, provided IDP protection capacity development sessions to the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF), considered to be the Philippine private sector’s major network for disaster risk reduction and management.
Recalling the experience of PDRF in assisting in the efforts following the Marawi conflict and disasters caused by natural hazards such as super typhoon Yolanda, PDRF President Rene Meily urged participants of the training to be “guided by the idea of our common humanity as we encounter the victims of both human-induced and natural disasters.”
“The Filipino people have gone through so much over the years. We are number one in the World Risk Index for a reason. Surely, we can work a little harder to help those around us who are in need.”
In response, UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo said that the initiative to partner with PDRF is envisioned to ensure that IDP protection is mainstreamed in the disaster risk reduction and mitigation efforts of private companies in the Philippines.
“The private sector has an immense potential as a champion for IDP rights and well-being. They play an integral role in ensuring a whole-of-society approach to disaster risk reduction and that IDP rights are protected and upheld during emergencies,” she said.
Protection encompasses all activities aimed at obtaining full respect for the rights of the individual in accordance with the letter and spirit of relevant bodies of international law, specifically international humanitarian and human rights, and refugee laws. For UNHCR, this covers international and regional refugee, statelessness and IDP frameworks.
During the learning sessions, the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) and some members of its private sector network learned about internal displacement in the Philippines and engaged in discussions with UNHCR on how they can best apply IDP Protection in their emergency response efforts.
Participants of the training sessions developed work plans on how IDP Protection would be integrated into their emergency response processes.
Participants of the training sessions developed work plans on how IDP Protection would be integrated into their emergency response processes.
UNHCR organized learning sessions for PDRF during the two-day training in the first quarter of the year, which were held as online and in an in-person events at the PDRF Operations Center and which drew PDRF staff and representatives from its private sector network as participants.
The sessions covered the displacement situation in the country, the international and national frameworks on internal displacement as well, the rights-based IDP bills being pushed for enactment, protection information management, and protection mainstreaming. It also included a simulation on protection in practice during emergency situations.
From what they learned in these sessions, participants were able to discuss amongst their groups and develop ways forward which include:
Addressing participants on the second day of the training, PDRF Executive Director Veronica Gabaldon emphasized that the lens of protection should be part of the DNA of how PDRF delivers interventions during emergencies.
“This is the kind of discussion that is not always a priority in the private sector, and which is why we are going to be very creative in making sure we mainstream this as far as the private sector is concerned, and not only in organizations like PDRF that are focused on DRR (disaster risk reduction),” Gabaldon said.
“This has to be in the minds and hearts of our employees [and] part of the organization’s DNA. This is just the beginning, a small step if I may say so, but rest assured that we are committed to make sure that we continue to advocate for protection in our line of work.”
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ABOUT UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. We lead international action to protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities and stateless people. We deliver life-saving assistance, help safeguard fundamental human rights, and develop solutions that ensure people have a safe place called home where they can build a better future. We also work to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. We work in over 130 countries, using our expertise to protect and care for millions.
In the Philippines, UNHCR has maintained a presence for over 40 years, working on three pillars: providing durable solutions to refugees, ending and reducing statelessness, and empowering displaced families.
For more information, please contact:
Karen Cepeda
External Relations Associate
[email protected]
(02) 88172398
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