The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officially launched on Monday, Dec. 2 the ready-to-eat food (RTEF) pack to enhance food security during disasters and calamities.
DSWD Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Irene Dumlao said the RTEF packs contain nutritious pre-cooked meals designed to be distributed to affected families within 24 to 48 hours of a disaster’s onset.
"The DSWD collaborated with the Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) to create ready-to-eat meals to fill the critical gap when traditional cooking facilities or utensils are limited or unavailable in disaster-affected areas," Dumlao explained in a statement.
She added that the RTEF is the outcome of a year-long research effort by DOST and its partners.
During the launch in Pasay City, the DSWD also held a national convention for its climate and disaster resilience projects, Project LAWA (Local Adaptation to Water Access) and BINHI (Breaking Insufficiency through Nutritious Harvest for the Impoverished).
The convention, attended by stakeholders, including local government officials, aimed to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and build capacity among project implementers at both local and national levels.
The 2024 accomplishments of Project LAWA and BINHI were presented during the event, facilitated by Special Assistant to the Secretary for Special Projects, Isabel Lanada.
Both projects are part of the DSWD’s risk resiliency initiatives, with Project LAWA focusing on helping communities build water reservoirs to address challenges related to dry spells and rainy seasons. Meanwhile, BINHI aims to improve food security by supporting nutritious agriculture for underserved populations.
“This national convention marks the culmination of Project LAWA at BINHI’s 2024 implementation and the official launch of the RTEF to the nation,” Dumlao said.