New Zealand has earmarked PHP103 million (3 million New Zealand dollar) in grants to help provide coastal communities in Caraga with nutrition and sustainable water infrastructure, the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines announced Thursday.

The funding will be coursed through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Philippines focusing on the vulnerable population in Surigao and Dinagat.

The initiative is the “second phase” of New Zealand and UNICEF Philippines’ partnership after a successful 2022 program that delivered essential health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to families affected by Typhoon Odette.

Through the grant, the embassy hopes to further support the Philippines’ in its pandemic response by enhancing the health outcomes for the beneficiaries.

“Addressing climate resilient and sustainable water infrastructure and nutrition service delivery gaps are ways that the New Zealand International Development Cooperation is focusing on caring for people,” said New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell.

“This funding demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to improving access to lifesaving tools so that children and families can protect themselves,” he added.

The initiative is expected to reach 89,051 new beneficiaries, including poor households and indigenous who lack access to toilets due to existing vulnerabilities.

The project will also offer flexible options for toilet design, accommodating households outside the equity-based criteria.

Nutrition services would be provided to around 70,000 girls and boys in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands, and address severe wasting or acute malnutrition among 420 beneficiaries, annually.

The grant was formally signed on June 26 and brings New Zealand’s total contribution to the country to a total of PHP189 million (5 million New Zealand dollar). (PNA)