WFP Logistics - Philippines

After closing in 1996, WFP re-established a presence in the Philippines with programmes designed to support the ongoing peace process in Mindanao, the southern Muslim-populated region in March 2006. Mindanao, particularly the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and adjacent provinces are those defined as "conflict affected" areas where people have been affected by successive displacements and these areas share poverty indicators far below national average.

WFP's Emergency Operation (EMOP) is consistent with the findings of a November 2007 food security assessment which recommended the continuation of food assistance to targeted, vulnerable groups, strengthened links to Government plans and processes and expanded partnerships with UN agencies. Based on the assessment, WFP estimates that 69 percent of the population in the conflict affected population is food insecure, of which 26 percent are severely food insecure. Also, due to a combination of food insecurity and actions that they are taking to cope, such as skipping meals, and/or reducing portion sizes, 42 percent of the population risk the deterioration of their life and health. An additional 48 percent risk further damaging their livelihoods by borrowing money at prohibitive rates or selling assets in order to meet household food needs. Moreover, despite a concentration of donor resources to the Philippines in Mindanao, Mindanao falls far short of national averages in education, health and virtually all social indicators.

Implementation Mode

The WFP EMOP will assist 1 million people until December 2009 and will be implemented through the existing government and NGO delivery mechanisms in Mindanao. WFP will provide support through various components such as Food for schools, Food for work, Food for training, Mother Child Health, and support to IDPs. WFP will promote replication of some of the government run food safety net programmes and assist in building the capacity of the officials at the provincial and district governance structures.

WFP is implementing the programmes through various Non-governmental organization (NGOs) as well as local government units in the following provinces:

Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) -Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur provinces;
Central Mindanao Region - North Cotabato, Sarangani and Sultan Kudarat provinces; and
Northern Mindanao - Lanao Del Norte province.

Food commodities are delivered to the WFP Warehouse at Polloc Port, located approximately 35 kilometers from Cotabato City and WFP Salimbao Warehouse, located approximately 4 kilometers from Cotabato City. WFP is responsible for coordinating the local transport of food, with provincial governments and with private contractors. A combination of trucks provide free of charge from the Provincial government with WFP providing basic costs such as fuel and other incidentals and private transporters are being used to carry out the transport of WFP food commodities.

Cluster Activities

The Philippines adopted the cluster approach shortly after the devastation created by Typhoon Durian ("Reming") in the Philippines in late 2006 to improve coordination between humanitarian agencies with the general support of the Government of the Philippines. WFP is the lead in Logistics and remains on standby for any requirements.

One challenge is the misperception of the activities falling under the Logistics Cluster. For example, it is assumed that WFP is a service provider for transport rather than the service provider of last resort. As the cluster approach is not a one-size fits all, there is work to be done to adapt the approach to meet the Philippines context.

Logistics Challenges

Security is one of the biggest logistics challenges for the Philippines specifically in Mindanao. Most of the areas where WFP delivers food are affected by conflict and some transporters refuse to provide transport services in these areas. WFP is trying its best to minimize security risks through regular coordination with the local authorities.

Availability of suitable warehouses is also a challenge to WFP. WFP experienced flooding caused by Typhoon Frank in one of its warehouses in June 2008. Despite efforts to find a suitable alternative warehouse in an area not prone to flooding, options immediately available fall short in terms of capacity and security.