PH Continues to Promote, Support Discourse on Displacement Issues Caused by Disasters

Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations (IOs) in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia, (center) together with Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the UN and other IOs in Geneva Mr. François Rivasseau (right), new chair of the Platform on Disaster Displacement, and Ambassador and Permanent Observer Head of the Permanent Delegation of the European Union to the UN and other IOs in Geneva Walter Stevens (left), another member of the Steering Group of the Platform on Disaster Displacement. (Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN photo)

GENEVA 08 July 2019 — The Philippines expressed it will continue to promote and support the discourse on displacement issues caused by disasters as a member of the Steering Group of the Platform on Disaster Displacement (PDD) on 26 June 2019.

“In light of the country’s international leadership in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), human mobility and climate change agenda, the Philippines will continue to engage in the PDD and to promote the Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda, which advances principles on cross-border displacement of people, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and migrants, due to natural disasters and climate change. This demonstrates that we are committed to work with the international community in tackling the gaps and challenges in disaster displacement,” said Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva Ambassador Evan P. Garcia.

Ambassador Garcia likewise congratulated France for taking over the chairmanship this year of the PDD, a State-led process working towards better protection for people displaced across borders in the context of disasters and climate change.

The Philippines remained an active founding Steering Group member of the PDD.  In 2018, PDD has provided full support, as partner of the Philippine Government, in organizing the Regional Workshop on Disaster Risk Reduction, Preparedness and Disaster Displacement which was held from 19 to 22 June 2018 in Bohol.

This workshop brought together government representatives from Pacific countries who exchanged ideas, and best practices with Philippine government representatives on three interrelated themes: Community resilience as a goal, science and technology as knowledge and tools and disaster displacement as an issue to prevent, address, and prepare for. END

For more information, visit https://www.genevapm.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinGenevaUN/.