ChildFund Philippines and Reina Association of Parents Federation joined a global network of humanitarian leaders in Bangkok, Thailand, for the Regional Humanitarian Partnership Week (RHPW) 2024 on December 10-12. The event focused on fostering resilience and advancing locally led humanitarian action across 49 participating countries.
The event featured discussions on critical topics, including Strengthening Inclusive Partnerships in Climate and Humanitarian Action, Locally Led Capacity Strengthening in Asia Pacific, and Enhancing Safeguarding and Inclusion in Humanitarian Efforts. These conversations underscored the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing the challenges faced by communities around the world.
One of the locally-led approaches featured in one breakout session during the RHPW event was the Survivor Community-Led Response (SCLR) approach, which emphasizes placing disaster-affected communities at the heart of preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. By supporting survivors in making decisions and developing strategies tailored to their unique needs, SCLR leverages the strengths and resources already present in these communities to build resilience and address immediate and long-term challenges.
In the Philippines, SCLR is strongly being practiced and promoted by a Mindanao-based NGO, Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB). In 2024, ChildFund Philippines tapped ECOWEB to train three of its local CSO implementing partners on SCLR. Among the local partners trained was REINA Federation. REINA Federation, shared its experiences and lessons on the SCLR approach during the RHPW breakout session. Through training sessions, parents associations and youth-led groups within the federation have learned how to assess needs, plan projects, and manage resources effectively. These groups have initiated projects that focus on key priorities such as child protection, education, and health, reflecting their commitment to addressing their community’s most urgent needs.
As a result, three parents associations under successfully implemented community projects, including initiatives that improved access to education and ensured child safety. These efforts were met with strong community support and highlighted the potential of locally led action to create meaningful change. One parent shared, “After the typhoon, we felt uncertain about how to move forward. But with the training and guidance we received, we came together to address our children’s needs. We’ve learned how to take action as a community and build something stronger for the future.”
The insights gained from RHPW 2024 reaffirmed the importance of locally driven solutions and partnerships in ensuring that children, even in times of adversity, can feel safe, continue to learn, and grow in a supportive environment. By working closely with partners like the REINA Federation and ECOWEB, ChildFund Philippines remains committed to advancing innovative and community-led approaches like SCLR, helping every child reach their full potential in both normal and disaster settings
