WFP and USAID launch local innovation competition to combat food insecurity in disaster-prone areas of the Philippines

This initiative is part of the Preparedness and Response Excellence in the Philippines (PREP) programme, supported by USAID, the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and others. PREP aims to enhance the Philippines’ emergency response and management capacities, supporting vulnerable Filipinos during disasters.

“Natural disasters can affect food supply chains, livelihoods, and access to proper nutrition, which can trap people in a cycle of hunger and poverty for years. Innovative solutions can help the most vulnerable communities prepare for and recover from these crises,” said Ben Hemingway, USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific.

The PREP Innovation Challenge invites local innovators to propose low- and high-tech solutions that will help combat food insecurity in disaster-prone areas of the Philippines. Innovators may apply to one or both of two priority areas: enhancing emergency preparedness to build resilience or increasing efficiency and effectiveness in humanitarian response. Selected innovations will be showcased at the 2024 PREP Forum in Manila this September.

“At WFP we are asking prep ka na ba – ‘are you ready’ – to innovate to end hunger in the Philippines? This is an opportune time for the PREP Innovation Challenge in the Philippines. It marks WFP’s commitment to help pilot and scale existing innovative approaches to end hunger in the Philippines, in close partnership and support of the government, donors and partners,” said Regis Chapman, WFP Philippines Country Director.

All entities, including government (regional, provincial and local government units), local organizations, foundations, academia and others are encouraged to apply. The innovation proposal must target at least one of these provinces – Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Albay, Catanduanes, Cagayan and Isabela – and align with national, provincial and local plans, as well as with the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Philippines is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. According to the World Risk Report 2023, the Philippines has had the highest disaster risk worldwide for two consecutive years due to its exposure and susceptibility to natural hazards.

Learn more about the PREP Innovation Challenge here and on WFP Philippines Facebook Events Page. Interested and eligible innovators may apply here by July 31, 2024. #PREPforInnovation #disrupthunger

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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