“We are Humanitarian Aid Workers” was the theme of the World Humanitarian Day celebrated last August 19, 2010 at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Main Auditorium Manila. The event was a cooperative sponsorship of EAC, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United Nations (UN). The event began with Dean Garry Huang of the Business Administration delivering the welcome address to the guest speakers on behalf of Dr. Jose Paulo E. Campos, EAC President.
The first speaker Ms. Teresa L Debuque, National Information Officer, United Nations Information Officer (UNIC) Manila, presented the following important data:
1. Who Are the Humanitarians? Civilians, national or international, UN or non-UN, governmental or non-governmental, who are committed to humanitarian principles and are engaged in humanitarian activities.
2. What is Humanitarian Assistance? Addressing the basic needs of a population because those basic needs are not being met due to a natural disaster and/or complex emergency and not strictly a development initiative, but is the first step to recovery and the resumption of development.
Ms. Debuque also discussed topics on the United Nations’ response to areas severely destroyed by calamities such as Earthquake in Haiti, Floods in Pakistan and Crisis in Congo, including the humanitarian impact of Climate Change.
The second speaker Ms. Akiko Abe, the Programme Officer of the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) and the United Nations Development Programme Philippines, discussed topics on “Volunteerism” as Inspiration in Action;
1. The United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) is the organization of the United Nations that contributes to peace and development through promoting “Volunteerism” worldwide.
2. What is “Volunteerism”? “Volunteerism is a feature of all cultures and societies. It is a fundamental source of community strength, resilience, solidarity and social cohesion. It can help effect positive social change by fostering inclusive societies that respect diversity, equality and the participation of all.”
3. UNV in the Philippines; UNV Philippines supports sustainable human development through the promotion of “volunteerism”, including mobilization of volunteers. It serves the causes of peace and development through enhancing opportunities for participation by all peoples.
The third speaker Ms. Susan Roberson, Emergency Coordinator of the United Nations World Food Program, presented topics on World Food Programmed Philippines discussing the following key areas;
1. World Food Programme - Global; (1) This year WFP aims to deliver food assistance to 108 million people in 74 countries (2) In 2008, we provided food for 102.1 million people in 78 countries and (3) Food delivered to the hungry totaled 3.9 million metric tons.
2. WFP Philippines - Current Operations; (1) Assistance to Conflict-affected Mindanao (2) Emergency Food Assistance to Typhoon-Affected Population in Northern Philippines
3. Affected Populations in the Philippines; (1) Total affected families were 2 million totaling to 10 million people and 500,000 people in the farming sector lost their livelihood (2) About 43,000 houses completely destroyed and 216,000 partially damaged (3) People are in continued need of relief and/ or early recovery assistance
In the second part of the program, the reactors namely Mark Nixon Serrano, EAC student representative, Prof. Wilberto Mayol of EAC and Cdr. Emmanuel Velante, Public Information Officer- Metro Manila Squadron, PCGA, delivered their respective positions, comments and opinions to the presenters and EAC students. Part of the event was the awarding of certificates before Dr. Valentino G. Baac, EAC-OPMS Director, delivered the closing remarks.
(aeparas/ EAC Publications)