The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) has committed PHP45 million (USD780,000) to support agricultural and climate resilience initiatives in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). This funding will be channeled through the World Food Programme (WFP) to aid approximately 28,000 individuals, with a special focus on indigenous women in the region.
Violeta Dominguez Acosta, the head of Spanish Cooperation in the Philippines, emphasized the importance of accelerating women’s involvement and leadership in decision-making processes. She stated, ‘Despite global advancements, no country has fully achieved gender equality. Spanish Cooperation is dedicated to enhancing and speeding up women’s progress at all levels of decision-making.’
Acosta also highlighted the necessity of centering climate resilience efforts around indigenous women and their communities, particularly in a country vulnerable to extreme climate events. A 2024 WFP study revealed that climate-related risks significantly impede rural and indigenous women’s access to resources and decision-making, leading to diminished livelihood opportunities and increased poverty.
The AECID-funded project aims to equip rural and indigenous women with training in climate-resilient agriculture and leadership skills. Additionally, it will bolster women’s cooperatives by connecting their agricultural outputs to stable markets. The initiative will also promote social behavior changes to enhance local food and nutrition practices.
Regis Chapman, WFP Philippines Representative and Country Director, expressed gratitude for AECID’s contribution, noting, ‘With the rising frequency and severity of climate emergencies in the Philippines, women are particularly at risk. It’s crucial that we enhance their abilities to better endure these shocks.’
This project aligns with the WFP’s ongoing efforts to support the Philippines in building resilience and strengthening food and social protection systems.