Amb. Tariq Al-Ansari, AoC Chef-de-Cabinet, with UNRC Luiza Cavalio visiting the typhoon-struck Compostela valley in the city of Davao during a joint mission to the Philippines with OCHA and OIC.
Statement Attributable to the Spokesperson for the UN High-Representative for the Alliance
New York- Mindanao, 26 June, 2013
The United Nations for the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) was part of a humanitarian partnership mission to the Philippines led jointly by The United Nations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Government of the Philippines. Ambassador Tariq Al-Ansari, Chef-de-Cabinet represented UNAoC in the mission which aimed at raising awareness of the humanitarian situation in Mindanao, the role of the humanitarian multilateral system in supporting national and local efforts to respond to humanitarian needs and demonstrate the importance of humanitarian preparedness and response to recurring natural disasters.
Members of the mission also visited communities like Katilacan that are benefiting from programs under the national government’s framework for peace and development in conflict-affected areas. The delegation were able to witness first-hand the humanitarian effects and devastation brought about by Typhoon Bopha, the deadliest global storm of 2012.
While in a field visit to Cotabato, Ambassador Al-Ansari said that in line with the mission and objectives of the Alliance , it is imperative to reduce tension and foster co-existence so as to assist people in overcoming the repercussions of disasters in all its aspects.