Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Friday (October 27) meets with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Philippine Office led by National Director Maria Ermina Valdeavila-Gallardo to explore areas of collaboration that will provide more extensive services to the vulnerable sectors.
Officials of the DSWD and UNCHR also discussed possible partnerships on matters related to refugees, stateless persons, and internally displaced persons (IDPs), including the support for the passage of the IDP Bill and the protection of human rights of IDPs in the midst of disasters and armed conflicts.
During the meeting, Sec. Gatchalian relayed the Department’s commitment to continuously provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable sectors and participate in the body’s activities while UNHCR National Director Valdeavila-Gallardo expressed her organization’s willingness to provide any support to the government within the scope of their functions.
Present during the courtesy visit were DSWD Undersecretary for Inclusive Sustainable Peace and Special Concerns Alan Tanjusay and UNCHR’s Lindsey Atienza, and Corazon Lagamayo. #