Delegates from the different offices of the United Nations (UN), including UN Women, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, and World Food Programme, were welcomed by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office Caraga Regional Director Mari-Flor A. Dollaga today, May 11, 2026, during a courtesy visit aimed at strengthening partnership efforts on food security and sustainable development initiatives in the region.
The meeting centered on the implementation of the Zero Hunger Accelerator through the Enhanced Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (EPHAP), which plays a crucial role in the initiative’s implementation by fostering convergence among government agencies, development partners, and local stakeholders. The joint initiative aims to address systemic fragmentation in food systems through an integrated and catalytic financing model.
Through the program, public funding, concessional capital, and de-risking instruments will be blended to attract private investments and support sustainable food system financing at the local level. The initiative also seeks to enhance food security, improve livelihoods, and create more resilient communities, particularly among vulnerable sectors.
During the discussion, both parties emphasized the importance of collaboration among government agencies, development partners, and local stakeholders in ensuring the effective implementation of the initiative across communities in the region.
Director Dollaga expressed the agency’s commitment to supporting programs that promote inclusive and sustainable development, especially those that contribute to hunger reduction and improved well-being of disadvantaged families.
“I am excited for this partnership as it opens more opportunities to strengthen our efforts in addressing hunger and improving the lives of vulnerable communities in Caraga,” Dir. Dollaga stated.
“Since I came here [FO Caraga], DSWD Caraga has already established partnerships with different offices of the United Nations, and we are grateful for their continued support in advancing programs that promote sustainable and inclusive development,” She added.
The courtesy visit also served as an avenue to discuss possible areas of cooperation and future initiatives aligned with the shared goal of achieving food security and sustainable community development in Caraga.
