As part of ChildFund’s Pilot Training on Humanitarian Essentials and Emergency Preparedness Planning (EPP), Erwin Galido, ChildFund Philippines Disaster Risk Management Specialist, recently led capacity-building workshops in Mozambique and Ethiopia.
Held from May 26 to June 6, this pilot initiative brought together selected Country Office staff and local partners from both countries to deepen their understanding of humanitarian standards and begin shaping their own Emergency Preparedness Plans. The training is part of ChildFund’s ongoing commitment to locally led response efforts, ensuring that communities are equipped to face disasters with both strategy and confidence.
Erwin facilitated sessions on the foundations of humanitarian work—emphasizing accountability, coordination, and community engagement. Drawing from his extensive experience in the Philippines, he provided practical tools and real-world insights to help participants create preparedness plans tailored to their specific risks and capacities.
What made the training truly impactful was Erwin’s ability to ground complex humanitarian principles in the day-to-day realities of local organizations. He fostered open dialogue, encouraged collaboration, and made space for each team to think critically about their own roles in disaster response. Participants appreciated not just the content, but the clarity, patience, and encouragement he brought to every session.
Erwin has been at the forefront of disaster risk reduction and emergency response for fourteen years. With experience in local humanitarian work, he has led community-based preparedness trainings, coordinated emergency relief operations, and helped shape policies that support children and families affected by disasters. In this global space, he also brought forward our local experiences—showcasing how we do child-centered, context-based emergency work in the Philippines—and shared them with other ChildFund Country Offices. His deep understanding of local contexts and his commitment to child-focused response make his contributions even more valuable.
This learning exchange marks an important step in our global efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness across the ChildFund Alliance. We’re proud to see Erwin representing ChildFund Philippines and contributing to a global movement that values local leadership, readiness, and resilience.
