Dilabped ne Kedtavang, Philippines

Background

The present challenge on COVID-19 has brought anxiety, while lack of preparedness has led to food insecurity thus causing the worsening living conditions of indigenous communities. The long drought being experienced has been a contributory factor to this situation, disrupting farming activities of the communities.  

Although indigenous peoples have their own way in responding to these situation, these are limited. What are needed urgently are sanitizers and other protective gears and healthcare provisions to prevent contamination in the community. This is one way to counteract the contamination of the virus and keep the community safe.

The practice of proper and regular food intake is the usual way of ensuring nourishment to fight any illness that may occur in the communities. However, from observations, children and elders are the most prone to nutritional deficiencies, such as Vitamin C deficiency.

The wearing of face masks has been required to prevent the spread of the virus. However, there is lack of such masks for community use. The production of face masks is therefore urgently needed at community-level and the community indigenous women's groups can be mobilized in sewing facemasks for mass production.

Project Objective

This project aims to extend assistance and other support to sustain farming and other livelihood community activities in this present pandemic lockdown, specifically food and healthcare needs.

Erumanen ne Menuvu Kamal, Philippines

Households who did not received government support in various areas will be identified to include aged and needy in at least 1,000 households in ancestral domain areas of Erumanen ne Menuvu in Provinces of Bukidnon and North Cotabato, southern Philippines