21 November 2017, Zamboanga City — Community and Family Services International (CFSI) Sub-office Zamboanga Head of Office Norhassim Sinarimbo, together with Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Dr. Elmeir Apolinario, and Zamboanga City Department of Interior and Local Government Director Moh. Taha Arakama led the opening program of the 4-day Training on Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management for four Host Communities under the Support to Host Communities of the Zamboanga Recovery Project (ZRP). Ms. Sharva Nowie Hamsi, Civil Defense Officer I of the Office of Civil Defence IX also joined in the programme.
CFSI in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australia, is committed to support the continuing recovery of this city under the Zamboanga Recovery Project (ZRP), which includes support to the host communities. The Support to Host Communities Assistance of ZRP aims to ensure the smooth integration of the IDPs to the host community by providing projects that will promote solidarity and be of benefit to both IDPs and hosts. Forty participants coming from the Barangay Local Government Units of Tulungatung, San Roque, Kasanyangan, and Mampang took part in the training. Trainers included professionals from different public and private agencies, including CFS.
The activity is designed to equip the Barangay with the knowledge and skills in the formulation of a CBDRRM Plan. This is all in line with the efforts of the Zamboanga City Government to ensure safer and more resilient communities in the city.
The Zamboanga Recovery Project, funded by the Australian Government, aims to support families uprooted by the Zamboanga Crisis in September 2013. In partnership with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, CFSI has been able to provide its beneficiaries with permanent shelters, psychosocial and protection services, support to host communities, and health and disease surveillance. The project will also provide one thousand family-beneficiaries with livelihood funding and skills training support. All of these are intended for the improvement of human security of IDPs.
The ZRP is implemented by Community and Family Services International, Catholic Relief Services, the World Health Organization and the Zamboanga City Government.
