JULY 9, 2024. In the field of humanitarian aid and development, allocation of resources and assistance marks a critical phase in efforts to uplift communities affected by various challenges. The provision of aid is often a lifeline for vulnerable populations. However, ensuring that this assistance reaches its intended recipients effectively and efficiently is just as crucial as the initial act of distribution itself.
For the on-going project related to the development and transformation of camp communities (areas that belong or affected by armed conflict in Mindanao), an initiative called as Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) was carried out through methodical evaluations to determine the effectiveness of the aid distributed to the recipients of the project.
The PDM helped fill in gaps or difficulties, by collecting inputs from the beneficiaries. This monitoring activity enabled the team discover if agreed procedures in project implementation and management at the community level are followed properly to achieve its several benefits.
Through the PROACTIVE: Programme on Assistance for Camp Transformation through Inclusion Violence Prevention and Economic Empowerment, various development assistance were already distributed to the community- groups in the six major acknowledged camps of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) namely, Camp Abubakar, Camp Badre, Camp Bilal, Camp Bushra, Camp Omar and Camp Rajamuda.
There were nineteen (19) units of farm machineries, which are already operating to ease agricultural processes in the camps. Its operation, significant to farm activities produces income for the cooperatives organized through the PROACTIVE.
Three infrastructure projects were completed and turned over to the People’ Organizations (POs) who are formed to manage its operations: tribal hall in Camp Omar (Brgy. Kabengi, Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao); solar dryer with warehouse & school library in Camp Abubakar (Brgy. Tugaig Barira, Maguindanao).
In seeing the impact of the development and transformation in the camps, the Bangsamoro Development Agency (BDA Inc.) along with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) visited the community- recipients of the said projects, met and talked to the people for updates and progress of its operations.
As a result of the activity, the beneficiary cooperatives and POs reported the positive impact of the projects in their lives.
Accordingly, the farm inputs already generates more income relevant to their groups. In fact, some of the cooperatives were able purchase additional machinery such as corn sheller that supports to their income generation and other agri activities, as well.
It was also noted that in operating in managing those projects, cooperatives were gradually applying the knowledge and skills they gained from various capacity building activities provided to them by the PROACTIVE.
For the project team, it is good to know that the beneficiaries are thriving as one group, and one community driven by the shared aspiration towards transformation and development.
They are the people in the communities, who experienced conflict in the past, now emerge as a center of progress, capacity building, community development and peace.
The PDM, relevant to PROACTIVE was conducted from June 13- 23, 2024 in the six major camps of the MILF.
PROACTIVE aims to contribute in enhancing local capacities to facilitate transition and transformation of the six (6) acknowledged camps of the MILF into peaceful and productive communities.
It is being funded by the European Union (EU) and the UNDP Philippines, implemented in collaboration with the BDA.
