COTABATO CITY โ Officials from the Australian Embassy in the Philippines, UNICEF-Cotabato, and UNFAO, headed by Dr. Moya Collett, Deputy Head of Mission of Australian Embassy, paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) on March 2, 2023 to discuss updates and potential areas of collaboration on the joint programmes funded by DFAT Australia and co-led by MSSD.
The Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) joint-Programme and the Financial Assistance System Transformation (FAST) Project were among the topics discussed during the meeting.
The delegation, which also includes Abigail Bakker, Second Secretary (Development) of the Australian Embassy, and Radoslaw Rzehak, Chief Field Office of UNICEF in Mindanao, was accepted by the MSSD Minister Atty. Raissa H. Jajurie, along with Chief of Staff Lyca Therese Sarenas and Chief of Finance Management Support Service Division and concurrent Focal for FAST Hamodi L. Tiboron.
On the same day, the team also conducted a presentation and dialogue session with government partners, highlighting programs supported by DFAT Australia and opportunities in BARMM with the support of its ministries such as MSSD, MAFAR, and MOH; and non-government organizations like UNICEF and FAO. This session aimed to provide an opportunity for government partners to learn about the programs supported by DFAT Australia and to explore potential collaboration opportunities with UNICEF and FAO in the Bangsamoro region.
