NEWSLETTER VOLUME 10 • ISSUE 1 MARCH 2021

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Message from the Deputy Country Director

Real Life Heroes

850 Families Receive Emergency Aid After Tropical Storm Auring

Stories from the Field

Lessons Learned: Cash Utilization and Spending Prioritization of Beneficiaries of Multi- Purpose Cash Transfers (MPCT)

Film Based on Post-conflict Marawi Wins in International Film Festival

#Connected Against Hunger

Fight Hunger, Be A Winner

In photo: A beneficiary from Barangay Pagsangan, San Miguel, REACHING COMMUNITIES Catanduanes waits for her turn to ride the boat going back to their sitio. (Photo by Kamran Shah for THROUGH COORDINATION Action Against Hunger)

By Dale Nelson Y. Divinagracia hen emergencies occur, an influx of found out that people had received assistance, able to reach them by meeting up in areas that Whumanitarian aid from NGOs, civic even getting the same type of aid twice were accessible for them and for us as well.” organizations and private companies go to the over. This was because several organizations affected areas. But in many cases, towns near distributed aid in the area without informing A new factor emerged in 2020 as city-centers and along major roads get most the local authorities.” an obstacle in aid not reaching people of the initial assistance. Remote communities immediately: COVID-19. “Understandably, receive limited aid. This was a stark contrast to the plight there were a lot of protocols in place that we of some communities. “The people from had to follow to reach these communities,” “Coordination is really key in providing Barangay Guinsaanan, which is about 60 km Karla states. “But, even with us complying assistance. Private companies, civil society from Virac and also one of the badly hit areas, with these requirements, it still took a lot organizations, and NGOs should coordinate received no assistance at that time,” Kamran of coordination with several government with the local government so that there is continues. “This was not the only case. As we authorities, convincing and assuring them that no duplication,” states Kamran Shah, Head of ventured farther, we found out that a lot of we were there to help and do no harm in the Project for Action Against Hunger’s Typhoon barangays were not receiving initial aid as well. process.” Rolly (International Name: Goni) Emergency Response funded by the United States Similar observations were made by Action “Wherever we respond, we always Agency for International Development’s Against Hunger’s Emergency Response team coordinate with local authorities, who are the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID- for Typhoon Ulysses (International Name: first and frontline responders in an emergency,” BHA). “The very first thing we did when we Vamco) in Province funded by the says Suresh Murugesu, Deputy Country started operations in Catanduanes was to European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Director for the Philippine Mission. “This way, talk to government officials as to which areas Aid Operations (ECHO). “We knew from we know which areas are underserved and were underserved. They pointed us to several experience that indigenous people living what the people’s needs are. We verify the barangays in the municipality of Bato, one of in geographically isolated areas rarely get information independently and try to serve as the hardest hit areas. When we went there assistance,” shares Karla Cruz, Head of Project. many people as we can.” to assess the needs of the communities, we “So, in coordination with authorities, we were NEWSLETTER-PHILIPPINES 1 WHERE WE WORK

Action Against Hunger is a global OUR humanitarian organization that takes COVID-19 RESPONSE decisive action against the causes and as of January 11, 2021 effects of hunger.

For over 40 years, across nearly 50 countries, we have led the global fight against hunger. We save the lives of malnourished children. We ensure families can access clean water, food, training, and healthcare. We enable entire communities 102,899 to be free from hunger. Beneficiaries of Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) Assistance

163,275 Beneficiaries of Health Sector Assistance BASE OFFICE PROJECT SITE

MESSAGE FROM THE DEPUTY COUNTRY DIRECTOR 630,160 SURESANATHAN MURUGESU Beneficiaries of Water, Sanitation & Hygiene We are living at a significant (WASH) Assistance time in recorded human history, a moment wherein all of us are facing “the challenges of a shared experience. OUR 2020 DONORS: Whether it be forced lockdowns, economic downturns, or isolation, the pandemic has affected everybody.

This common ordeal has led to the USE OF FUNDS realization that we are surrounded by real-life heroes embodied by the Based on the Global Performance Report (2019) frontliners who selflessly dedicate themselves in doing their jobs amidst the pandemic — from healthcare & humanitarian personnel to other 7.8% essential workers. Fundraising

It is with pride that I inform you 5.6% that Action Against Hunger staff have Management never wavered in our commitment & General to help those who need it the most. We continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable, 86.6% sustain the implementation of our Projects development programs, and respond to natural and man-made disasters.

Thank you to our donors, our CONTACT US: partners in the community, the local government units whom we work with. Action Against Hunger Philippine Mission Your support made us overcome the Head Office: 4F Gloria Bldg., 109 Aguirre St., Legaspi Village, Makati City, challenges. , Philippines 1229 Telephone/fax: +63 (2) 8840-1808; +63 (2) 8659-3598 As we look forward in hope this year, our commitment to people in need will [email protected] always guide us: We will never give up until the world is free from hunger.” www.actionagainsthunger.ph actionagainsthungerph EndHungerPH 2 As humanitarian workers, our field teams have time and time again shown great dedication at ground level REAL LIFE in reaching even the most isolated communities. Their commitment to our line of work has never faltered. They always give their best efforts despite the risks and challenges they face—a true example that not all HEROES heroes wear capes. Get to know some of our #RealLifeHeroes: could not help all the people needing assistance. We had to be selective and ABUBAKAR BALABAGAN narrow down our beneficiaries to the most vulnerable sector of the population. PROJECT ASSISTANT Emergency Assistance to Typhoon Affected Several of our planned activities have Communities in Catanduanes and Albay Province also been postponed due to community quarantine protocols. But, beyond these challenges, the risk of being with a lot of the virus can happen anytime people is the most weighing burden I have. and anywhere if not careful. The heightened sense of protecting myself Because of this, we have to limit CHARITY MAGDADARO for the sake of my family, friends and the gathering beneficiaries in small team is always the priority. areas for activities like hygiene PROJECT ASSISTANT What motivates you to promotion sessions. Humanitarian Assistance to Typhoon Affected Communities in Region II What motivates you to keep doing your become a humanitarian work even with these challenges? worker? What motivates you to keep What motivates you to become a Helping the community is what drives My purpose, which is to help doing your work even with humanitarian worker? me to keep going. Being an avenue to people in the community who these challenges? Working in this field gives me meet the immediate needs are suffering during disasters, My motivation comes from the deeper satisfaction than other jobs. of the community is a and saving lives as well. people I serve. When I became I witnessed a huge need of change fulfilling moment. a humanitarian worker, I became that most of our communities need, Our interventions Why are you making this more conscious of the people’s and the small, step-by-step impact help them sacrifice? daily struggles and have a of humanitarian intervention to sustain hope It makes me fulfilled. I am happy deeper understanding on how communities always makes a big despite the to help vulnerable people in different their situations are. difference. Being able to witness flooding and the community through Action For instance, many of them are children learning, mothers accepting the pandemic Against Hunger and be able to striving to survive the economic new knowledge, and empowering the that had have a role in providing free and downturn during this pandemic. members of community - these things caused them to direct access to beneficiaries are priceless. lose so much. - because it is one of the What are you most proud of? The impact of organization’s principles. The thought that the work that Why are you making this sacrifice? the assistance I I do, in some way With the challenges of the pandemic help deliver to the What have been the or another, will we are all facing, and the calamities community outweighs the challenges to your have a ripple that heap up the burden of the personal risks that the pandemic brings. work because of effect that vulnerable community; it is not easy the COVID-19 will impact to just ignore it. Humanitarian work What are you most proud of? pandemic? the lives is needed. Someone needs to do it. I am proud of my team I am with in The pandemic is of the Someone needs to be there. I am this emergency response. Despite the very challenging people I answering the call. pandemic, we are still able to achieve our because serve. purpose. There is always that challenge to the risk of What have been the challenges to strike the balance between taking a risk contracting and/ your work because of the COVID-19 and protecting ourselves. Nonetheless, my or transmitting pandemic? team works hard, sacrificing things in life Due to budgetary constraints, we just to do their job at the best level.

850 FAMILIES RECEIVE EMERGENCY AID AFTER TROPICAL STORM AURING By Joyce Anne Sandajan evere Tropical Storm Auring (International Management Council SName: Dujuan), entered the Philippine (NDRRMC), the storm Area of Responsibility on February 17 and inflicted infrastructure affected more than 200,000 people as the and agricultural damages country’s first of 2021. While amounting to 53 million it did not develop into a typhoon, according pesos and 106.7 million to the National Disaster Risk Reduction & pesos, respectively.

Surigao del Sur was hit the hardest as In photo: Beneficiaries of Hygiene Auring’s heavy rains & NFI kits participate in the hygiene caused massive flooding promotion session. which damaged homes and displaced several families. By February Marihatag, and Bayabas. Distribution was 24, Tandag—Surigao del Sur’s capital—was in done between the dates of February 27 to a state of calamity. March 2.

In response to this emergency, Action This humanitarian assistance was Against Hunger’s field team distributed kits conducted under Action Against Hunger’s containing basic hygiene materials and non- REACH Project funded by the European Civil In photo: A beneficiary unpacks the food items such as blankets and cooking Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations contents of the hygiene and NFI utensils to 850 families across several (ECHO) and implemented together with CARE kits she received. municipalities in Surigao del Sur: San Agustin, Philippines and Oxfam Philippines. (Photos by Nino Kim Diez, Lea Anora, Mark Dalin-as for Action Against Hunger) NEWSLETTER-PHILIPPINES 3 In photo: Norcaisa with the wheelchair inside her home. (Photo by Jonairah Alingan for Action Against Hunger) To assist her with her personal hygiene, Alanoding made a hole in their wood flooring where she would defecate and urinate. Without a stable source of income, Norcaisa does not have the budget to buy herself a wheelchair. She would often borrow wheelchairs from the neighborhood at times when she would need to leave their house to run errands or process pay-outs for persons with disabilities (PWDs), and other government assistance.

According to her, if her son is not around, her neighbors would always be ready to run to her need and rescue her whenever there are typhoons or other A WHEELCHAIR emergency situations. OF HER OWN Because of Norcaisa’s situation, Action Against By Jonairah Alingan Hunger in coordination with the municipal health officer (MHO) and the local government unit (LGU) focal for or ten years, Norcaisa Macapasir health provided her with logistic support by giving her a Fhas become accustomed to wheelchair of her own. On February 23, the wheelchair using her hands as legs as she lives was personally delivered to her home. “Thank you. I don’t with paraplegia. Despite her condition, have to borrow a wheelchair from the neighbors anymore whenever I have to do something important,” she says the sixty-two year old is known to in tears, overwhelmed with joy from the assistance she maintain a cheerful disposition. Thank you...I“ don’t have to borrow a received. wheelchair from the After her husband passed away The logistic support received by Norcaisa is one in 2010, Norcaida started feeling neighbors anymore of the health and protection interventions under our numbness in her legs. Not long whenever I have ‘Response to the Unmet Humanitarian Needs of the after, her lower body was paralized to do something Most Vulnerable Conflict-Affected Populations in completely. Now, she and her 25-year important.” Mindanao’ (REACH). The REACH project is funded by old son, Alanoding, live together in a the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid bahay kubo in Saguiran, Lanao del Sur. NORCAISA MACAPASIR Operations (ECHO) and is implemented together with Saguiran, Lanao Del Sur CARE Philippines, Oxfam Philippines, and their local partners. 

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVER STORIES FROM THE FIELD By Axhel Delos Santos he burden that a primary caregiver to make it through the day.” of the 1,400 families that received Multi-Purpose Ta person with mental disorder is rarely Cash Transfer (MPCT) assistance amounting to talked about. These people, often a family The pandemic brought new challenges. 5,000 pesos. This was part of Action Against member here in the Philippines, play multiple With quarantine and lockdowns in place, she Hunger's Humanitarian Assistance to Typhoon roles: parent, caregiver, and breadwinner. was not able to take her son to the doctor for Vamco Affected Melisen Molina has played these roles in the his free medication. “Without his medicine, Communities in last 36 years, taking care of her son, Loreto, a my son would manifest strange behaviors and Region II project, person living with mental disorder. would sometimes turn hostile,” she said. funded by the European Civil Loreto “hugged A widow at 60 years old, Melisen’s only In the early morning of November 11, Protection and me so tight that source of income is accepting bulk laundry 2020, Melisen awakened to the heavy rains Humanitarian Aid first night and work from her neighbors. “Every week, I would and strong winds that Super Typhoon Ulysses Operations (ECHO). said that we earn around 500 pesos. This amount would be (Vamco) brought to her community in Barangay should pray...I budgeted for 7 days,” she states, “There would Bauan East, Solana, Cagayan Province. As the “I immediately burst into tears be times that my son and I would skip a meal to water started to get higher and higher, she used the money to upon hearing and her son climbed to the roof of their house secure food for us as that." for safety. “Loreto hugged me so tight that I am unsure if there first night and said that we should pray,” she would be any work MELISEN MOLINA Brgy. Bauan East, narrated, “I burst into tears upon hearing forthcoming,“ she Solana, Cagayan that.” Melisen and her son stayed on said, “but I am most their roof for three days and two thankful that I was sleepless nights, braving the rain able to bring Loreto to his doctor to get his and cold breeze. medicines.”

Life become tougher Melisen is hopeful that things will become after that. Laundry work normal soon, so that she can provide for Loreto’s was not available because needs. “I almost succumbed to hopelessness if her neighbors were also not for the help that we have received from the recovering from the government and other organizations like Action destruction. To help her Against Hunger.”

In photo: Melisen at home, sharing her story. recover, they were one 4 (Photo by Axhel Delos Santos for Action Against Hunger) MAKING ENDS MEET By Joyce Anne Sandajan ixty-seven year-old Carlos Tesorero had Sone word in mind when asked how he felt when he saw what was left of his home – painful. Carlos, or “Tatay Carlos” as they called him, had a house along the shore of Barangay Guinsaanan in the Municipality of Baras, Catanduanes. On the morning of November 2, 2020—a day after Super Typhoon Rolly made landfall—he, along with the other families After the storm had living near the sea, returned and saw that the “ typhoon’s strong winds and heavy rains had passed, at around completely destroyed their houses. “After eight in the morning the storm had passed, at around eight in the we went back to morning we went back to check our houses and everything was gone… It was painful,” said check our houses Tatay Carlos. Hollow blocks, scraps of wood, and everything was metal, and scattered belongings were all that gone… were left of their homes. It was painful,” Residents of Barangay Guinsaanan were no strangers to such weather conditions, especially for those residing along the shore. In fact, in CARLOS TESORERO less than two weeks, they had experienced Brgy. Guinsaanan, the impacts of three typhoons—from Quinta Baras, Catanduanes to Rolly to Ulysses. Amongst the three, it was Rolly that greatly affected their homes and livelihoods.

Tatay Carlos worked as a tour guide since 2015. He would accompany tourists to Binurong In photo: Carlos Tesorero stands outside his temporary home (Photo by Joyce Point, one of the top tourist destinations in Sandajan for Action Against Hunger) the province and about an hour’s hike from

With all that he On January 27, Tatay Carlos was one has been through, of the 60 beneficiaries from Barangay STORIES FROM THE FIELD what saddens Tatay Guinsaanan who received cash assistance Carlos is going amounting to 5,200 pesos. The multipurpose through these cash assistance (MPCA) was conducted as his barangay. Back then, he would get a two- ordeals alone. His wife, daughter and grandchild part of Action Against Hunger’s Emergency way trip in a normal week, earning him 200 visited a relative in Bulacan last year, but because Assistance to Typhoon Affected Communities pesos. This changed when the lockdown was of travel restrictions and financial constraints, in Catanduanes and Albay, which is co- implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic. they have not been able to return to Catanduanes implemented by CARE Philippines and “I was okay before, but when the pandemic since then. Despite living alone, he continues to funded by the United States Agency for happened, it was hard because I had absolutely be in good spirits by regularly talking to his close International Development’s Bureau for no income,” Tatay Carlos shares. neighbors and taking care of his cat. He spends Humanitarian Assistance (USAID-BHA). The his day by going to the sea to catch fish for his project is expected to reach a total of 14,500 Tatay Carlos and his fellow tour guides own consumption, since these are usually too people through MPCA alone. The goal of the looked for alternative sources of income. He small to sell. His daily food is augmented by relief program is to enable the most vulnerable went on to extract and sell dried coconut meat, packs from various organizations. households to meet immediate food and taro leaves, papayas or other crops, earning just basic humanitarian needs. enough to get by. Unfortunately, most of the Tatay Carlos works hard each day to provide crops and coconut trees were damaged after for himself and perhaps earn extra income to With the assistance he received, Tatay the consecutive typhoons. He then started save. “What we really need is money,” he says Carlos remains hopeful and positive. “My to collect dried wood and would sell them for with a weak laugh. number one dream is to have a house of my firewood. He tried to apply for manual labor own again,” he shares. MELISEN MOLINA jobs like construction, but was unsuccessful. Brgy. Bauan East, Solana, Cagayan “No one was accepting me because I was old, Despite losing both his home and unlike the others,” he lamented. livelihood, Tatay Carlos smiles as he shares the many ways he tries to make ends meet After the typhoons, the sea level had on a daily basis. Knowing he has to start risen significantly, making the land from nothing pains him, but says he is where his home once stood into thankful that there are people who a ‘no-build’ zone. Like the other are willing to extend kindness families who lived there, Tatay through various forms. He may Carlos now has to start from have been through a lot the scratch. For the meantime, he past year, but his family and the was allowed to reside in a small support from his community building which was previously In photo: From what used to be around ten homes, keeps him going. used as a barangay hall. debris from the totally damaged houses remain along the shoreline of Barangay Guinsaanan. (Photo by Joyce Sandajan for Action Against Hunger) NEWSLETTER-PHILIPPINES 5 CASH UTILIZATION AND SPENDING PRIORITIZATION OF LESSONS LEARNED: BENEFICIARIES OF MULTIPURPOSE CASH TRANSFERS (MPCT) By Menchie Lacson here has been a growing popularity among humanitarian agencies Tworking in the Philippines in implementing cash transfer programs AVERAGE CASH UTILIZATION (CTP) to deliver support to the affected populations. While the general use • For sector-specific CTP, 80% to 100% of the cash grant was of CTP is to meet sectoral objectives through restricting the use of cash, utilized on the objective the cash was restricted to which there is now increasing attention and interest in multipurpose cash transfers was mainly on livelihoods. (MPCT) as a more holistic approach in responding to the crisis-affected people. • The 10% to 30% of the remaining cash on the otherhand Multipurpose cash transfers allow the affected households to prioritize their was used for food, educational needs of the children, and needs which may not be addressed with sector-specific cash transfers. medical/health expenses. • For MPCT, the highest amount spent—50% to 80% of the We reviewed completed CTP projects (both MPCTs and sector-specific) of five cash—was on necessities most affected by the disaster. (5) humanitarian projects implemented from 2016 to 2019: • The remaining amount after spending on the most prioritized need and on the required objective, the amount of cash • (2016) spent for other basic needs ranged from 500 to 1,500 pesos, • (2016-2017) while the least amount spent on average were on water, • Armed Conflict in Surigao del Sur (2017) sanitation and hygiene (WASH) commodities. This is most • Typhoon Mangkhut (2018-2019) probably because the projects had WASH components • Marawi Conflict Crisis (2018-2019) wherein corresponding needs were already addressed or were provided by other agencies. The first four projects were funded by the European Civil Protection and • The conditionalities set by the projects such as cash utilization Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), while the Marawi Response was funded planning, livelihoods trainings, nutrition orientations, and by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). For pre-cash distribution orientations were effective in ensuring EU-funded projects, we worked with consortium partners, however, only the that the cash support were used as intended, therefore no results from our interventions were considered in the analysis. reports of misuse of cash were reported.

nT. Melor nArmed Conflict nMarawi Conflict nT. Mangkhut nT. Haima (FSL) (FSL) (FSL) (MPCT) (MPCT) ₱2,484.00 ₱828.00 ₱4,000.00 ₱4,250.00 ₱4,100.00 100% ₱1,081.00 ₱1,000.00 ₱1,000.00 ₱828.00 ₱875.00 ₱813.00 ₱506.00 ₱350.00 ₱250.00 ₱322.00 ₱400.00 ₱425.00 ₱350.00 ₱345.00 ₱115.00 AVEREAGE AMOUNT SPENT AMOUNT AVEREAGE ON BASIC NEEDS SECTOR

FOOD SHELTER LIVELIHOOD WASH EDUCATION HEALTH OTHERS 1% 8% 1% 1% 9% 2% 3% 11% 5% 5% 5% 17% 18% 21% 12% 37% 24% Marawi Conflict Response Conflict Marawi (2018) 100% 100% 100% 100% 29%

SPENT ON CASH SPENT NEEDS RECOMMENDATIONS:

There is a need to have a standardized A deeper analysis considering other post distribution monitoring (PDM) aspects such as context (rural or PERCENTAGE OF BENEFICIARIES PERCENTAGE tool to capture data consistently urban), impact of type of disasters for better analysis and dependable (climate-related or conflict), and impact results. on food diversification is needed to build further knowledge on the use of Pre-cash distribution orientations MPCTs. for MPCT that include and/or highlight key sectoral messages are Comparing the available MPCT and effective in influencing beneficiaries FSL sector expenditure, it may be good on what commodities / needs to to provide MPCT during the primary prioritize spending on. Organizations emergency to address the immediate with certain advocacies, example and basic needs, while sector specific nutrition, may still be able to CBI may be provided during early influence spending behavior of recovery/restoration of livelihoods beneficiaries through these even following the primary emergency. with implementation of MPCTs and not having to implement sector- Finally, it is recommended to collect focused CTPs. more data on MPCT to better understand and calculate the rate There are evidences of sustainability against the Minimum Expenditure for sector-specific CTP, however, for Basket (including food threshold, MPCT, there is weaker evidence of WASH needs, shelter and other sustainability and/or impact is mostly sector needs) to ensure that the limited to addressing immediate fund provided is adequate to cover needs. To support sectoral impact of immediate needs of the affected MPCT, complementary activities are population. recommended. 6 FILM BASED ON POST-CONFLICT MARAWI WINS BEST FILM nT. Haima (MPCT) AND BEST ACTOR IN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

he Invisible Monster, a story of the film was available from November 27 to there are two types of stories, those that Tthe Filipino spirit finding hope and December 31, 2020 through Action Against impress and those that move you… The happiness amidst poverty, loss, war, and Hunger Philippines' YouTube channel. Invisible Monster wants to move you, so hunger won the Jury Award for Best Short that it may remain in your memory,” shares Film from this year’s Festival Iberoamericano Aminodin, along with Yasser Mama, one Guillermo Fesser. “It shows the reality for de Cortometrajes de ABC (FIBABC). Aminodin of the child actors, said “We are pleasantly thousands of children in the Philippines,” Munder, who played his namesake in the film, surprised to know that adding that “hunger is won Best Actor. The award was presented we won an award. much more than just a during the online FIBABC awards gala on We express our food problem.” December 14, 2020. gratefulness for being given the opportunity [The film]“ shows the “We wanted to show The 32-minute film was shot in post- to be actors.” Aminodin, reality for thousands everyone through conflict Marawi City with actual residents along with most of the of children in the the film the invisible of Barangay Papandayan-Caniogan starring actors, live and work Philippines... hunger is reality for a lot of Filipino as actors. The intent was to mobilize people in the dumpsite where much more than just a children” states Dale against the extreme form of hunger– most of the film was food problem.” Nelson Divinagracia, malnutrition, a disease that affects 4 million shot. Fundraising Manager Filipino children. The film was directed by for Action Against Oscar-nominated filmmaker Javier Fesser and “I’m happy that the GUILLERMO FESSER Hunger. “The symptoms renowned writer and radio host Guillermo film won an award, I did Co-director, of stunting is not as Fesser through collaboration with Action not hope for this,” said The Invisible Monster evident as compared Against Hunger. A free online screening of Cawi Nasroding Mama who to acute malnutrition, but the effects are as plays Aminodin’s severe: those affected may never attain their father in the full possible height, have weaker immune film. “It was hard systems, and their brains may never develop shooting the to their full cognitive potential. They will face movie because learning difficulties in school and get sick more we had to do often. If not treated in the first 1,000 days of several takes. But a person’s life, the effects of malnutrition are when I saw the irreversible and will last that person’s whole film, I saw that it life.” was beautifully made.” He On their collaboration with the adds, “for me, humanitarian organization, Guillermo Fesser to the best of shares “we have realized that the invisible my abilities, I hunger, the chronic hunger, the constant and will support any daily hunger is a social illness that is suffered initiative that will in silence.” Javier agrees to this sentiment and

In photo: The Invisible Monster film crew (Producer Luis Manso, help Marawi rise adds, “we feel very privileged of being able Co-director Guillermo Fesser and Director Javier Fesser) get to again.” to shout ‘action’, but against hunger, against know the children working in the Papandayan dumpsite. (Photo “In the world injustice, against inequality.” by Marina Betete for Action Against Hunger) NEWSLETTER-PHILIPPINES 7 ACTION AGAINST HUNGER IS LAUNCHING ITS FIRST CONNECTED SPORTS CHALLENGE FOR COMPANIES AROUND THE WORLD.

daily challenges © Studio Saana / www.studio-saana.com faced by our field An International Challenge teams all over the world while completing #ConnectedAgainstHunger will be a series of exciting implemented by Action Against Hunger teams individual and team in the Philippines, Canada, England, France, fitness challenges: walking, Germany, India, Italy, and Spain. Companies running, cycling, swimming, can mobilize their employees on a national and yoga. These activities and international level. will be recorded through the #ConnectedAgainstHunger “This is the first time in the history of Action application (available on the Against Hunger that we are offering an event first week of June in the that is supported by the whole international Apple App Store and the network,” states Cathy Gabrielczyk, Head Google Play Store). With the for Private Partnerships - Sports for Action app, participants can monitor Against Hunger France. “This challenge is an Fr o m individual and team rankings, opportunity for companies all over the world June 7 to July 2, stay up-to-date with a live to help us fight hunger while strengthening Action Against Hunger news feed and share their their employee’s teamwork. All of us will be will launch a unifying experiences on a live social united to fight against the impact of climate digital sports challenge, wall. change we are all experiencing!” #ConnectedAgainstHunger. Companies from all over the word can “Employee team building Registrations will be open until sign up and help fight the climate crisis! activities that promote May 26, 2021. teamwork have been non- Floods, droughts, heatwaves and existent storms – in recent years, extreme climate since last year because of For more information, call: events have intensified and become more the pandemic,” says Dale frequent, severely impacting food security Nelson Divinagracia, The campaign“ is Dale Nelson Divinagracia and the livelihoods of millions of people. Fundraising Manager for a way to increase 0998 962 0824 Climate change is a leading cause of rising the Philippine Mission. employee wellness and [email protected] global hunger, affecting all aspects of the food “The campaign is a way motivation as they system. Everyday, our field teams come face- to increase employee collaborate together on Joyce Anne Sandajan to-face with the realities of climate change. wellness and motivation a common goal. 0921 356 7458 as they collaborate [email protected] With #ConnectedAgainstHunger, people together on a common DALE NELSON DIVINAGRACIA will gain an in-depth understanding of the goal.” Fundraising Manager

www.connectedagainsthunger.org

FIGHT HUNGER, BE A WINNER ight Hunger, Be A Winner was launched Monster film. “When we Flast December 2020 in partnership with watched it, our whole Oven Depot, the official retailer of Ooni Pizza company was very moved. Ovens in the Philippines. From December 14 We wanted to do something to 31, anyone who donated a minimum of about it, we wanted to take 300 pesos through the Action Against Hunger part and luckily enough we Philippines website gained a raffle entry to were able to do so. Thank you win Ooni Pizza Ovens. A total of ₱139,558.00 Action Against Hunger for the was raised through the campaign which will opportunity," he shared. benefit the organization’s life-saving projects combating malnutrition in the Philippines. “It’s Five (5) lucky winners were been an unfortunate year for our country and randomly selected through an for the world as well, so we wanted to give electronic raffle draw on January back and do something that was related to 4, 2021. The winners received our business,” said Renzo Herbosa, one of the various prizes sponsored by Oven co-owners of Oven Depot. Depot, specifically an Ooni Koda Pizza Oven for two 2nd prize winners, According to Renzo, the Oven Depot team Ooni Karu Pizza Oven for two 3rd prize decided to reach out to Action Against Hunger winners, and an Ooni Pro Pizza Oven bacause of a different campaign—The Invisible for the grand prize. 