Remarks of Ambassador KOSHIKAWA Kazuhiko at the Signing and Exchange of Notes with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
2022/8/31
Today, on behalf of the Government of Japan, I will sign the two notes with FAO and WFP on the implementation of important projects.
For the first project, the Japanese government will provide $2 million to FAO to help Filipino farmers and fishermen recover their livelihoods by overcoming the devastating consequences of Typhoon Odette last December. Furthermore, through this project, we will also provide future-looking training necessary for establishing disaster-resilient agriculture and fisheries.
The Japanese government has already provided the victims of Typhoon Odette with emergency disaster relief supplies, such as power generators, tents and sleeping bags, right after the Typhoon hit the country. So far, the assistance provided by Japan to the victims through specialized agencies, including WFP, IOM, IFRC, UNICEF, UNOCHA, and UNHCR, has amounted to $13 million in total.
Needless to say, today's joint project with FAO adds to this line of support. Indeed, many Japanese people feel the suffering and pain of Filipinos as their own since we are both disaster-prone nations. As we implement this new project, we strongly hope that this sense of solidarity from Japanese people will reach many Filipinos on the ground.
The second project contributes to Japan’s unwavering support for the Mindanao Peace Process. Over the past 20 years, Japan has been fully supporting the Philippine government’s Mindanao Peace Process. This time, the Japanese government will provide financial contribution of $4 million to WFP to implement the new project. This project, implemented by WFP, aims to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and fishermen in the Bangsamoro region, thereby contributing to the stability of the local community. In order to ensure lasting and stable peace in the Bangsamoro region, it is vitally important that the people living in the Bangsamoro region first secure their own income and stabilize their livelihoods. Therefore, we strongly hope that this project will be successful and that this model will be extended to the rest of the Bangsamoro region for a better future deserved by all.
The Japanese government also believes that the two projects signed today with FAO and WFP are fully consistent with the goals of President Marcos’ priority policies of promoting agriculture and fisheries as well as strengthening resilience to natural disasters.
We are honored to be able to work closely with FAO and WFP, here in the Philippines, on disaster relief assistance and support for peace in Mindanao. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the officials of both organizations who are involved in the projects on the ground. My tribute of course also goes to the people of DFA, OPAPRU, BTA and DA for their tireless efforts to realize peace in Mindanao as well as food security.
As a reliable partner, Japan will continue to provide maximum cooperation and support in accordance with requests from the Philippine government.
Maraming salamat at mabuhay po kayo.
For the first project, the Japanese government will provide $2 million to FAO to help Filipino farmers and fishermen recover their livelihoods by overcoming the devastating consequences of Typhoon Odette last December. Furthermore, through this project, we will also provide future-looking training necessary for establishing disaster-resilient agriculture and fisheries.
The Japanese government has already provided the victims of Typhoon Odette with emergency disaster relief supplies, such as power generators, tents and sleeping bags, right after the Typhoon hit the country. So far, the assistance provided by Japan to the victims through specialized agencies, including WFP, IOM, IFRC, UNICEF, UNOCHA, and UNHCR, has amounted to $13 million in total.
Needless to say, today's joint project with FAO adds to this line of support. Indeed, many Japanese people feel the suffering and pain of Filipinos as their own since we are both disaster-prone nations. As we implement this new project, we strongly hope that this sense of solidarity from Japanese people will reach many Filipinos on the ground.
The second project contributes to Japan’s unwavering support for the Mindanao Peace Process. Over the past 20 years, Japan has been fully supporting the Philippine government’s Mindanao Peace Process. This time, the Japanese government will provide financial contribution of $4 million to WFP to implement the new project. This project, implemented by WFP, aims to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and fishermen in the Bangsamoro region, thereby contributing to the stability of the local community. In order to ensure lasting and stable peace in the Bangsamoro region, it is vitally important that the people living in the Bangsamoro region first secure their own income and stabilize their livelihoods. Therefore, we strongly hope that this project will be successful and that this model will be extended to the rest of the Bangsamoro region for a better future deserved by all.
The Japanese government also believes that the two projects signed today with FAO and WFP are fully consistent with the goals of President Marcos’ priority policies of promoting agriculture and fisheries as well as strengthening resilience to natural disasters.
We are honored to be able to work closely with FAO and WFP, here in the Philippines, on disaster relief assistance and support for peace in Mindanao. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the officials of both organizations who are involved in the projects on the ground. My tribute of course also goes to the people of DFA, OPAPRU, BTA and DA for their tireless efforts to realize peace in Mindanao as well as food security.
As a reliable partner, Japan will continue to provide maximum cooperation and support in accordance with requests from the Philippine government.
Maraming salamat at mabuhay po kayo.