Mindanao To Benefit From UN Food Aid

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (Zamboanga Journal / 5 May) Tens of thousands of malnourished children and poor families in the southern Philippines are expected to benefit from the food aid program of the United Nations World Food Organization (UN-WFO), the Philippine News Agency said Saturday.

Coco Ushiyama, UN-WFO Country Representative based in Bangkok, said his group is focusing on Mindanao, particularly the impoverished provinces of Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, Maguindanao, North Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.

Ushiyama met recently with Lanao del Sur officials led by provincial administrator Macalangcom Caris and discussed about the project the will help feed many poor Muslim families there.

She said 60% of the food aid will be given to war-torn areas in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. But only 25 of 39 towns in Lanao del Sur will benefit from the food aid program, a joint UN-RP venture in support of the ongoing peace talks between Manila and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

"This will start in mid-June 2006 via partnership, cooperation and closer coordination with local officials and concerned government agencies," Ushiyama said.