The Philippines recently hosted the Asia Pacific Shelter and Settlements Forum 2024 (APSSF 2024), a pivotal platform for sharing best practices and promoting resilient and inclusive housing across Asia and the Pacific attended by diverse sectors including government, global and local humanitarian institutions, international and Philippine-based civil societies and non-government organizations, professionals, academics, and housing stakeholders.
Background
Initiated in 2015 by a handful of practitioners to localize the United Kingdom’s Shelter Forum, the former Asian Shelter Forum has eventually evolved into a significant annual event that aims to foster shelter and settlements industry collaboration, improve and enhance coordination work among government, inter-governmental and non-government players. The Forum also intends to give meaningful learning experiences to governments, donors, development partners, shelter cluster, and humanitarian organizations and partners while emphasizing the need for safe, adequate, and dignified shelters and settlements.
Co-organized by the Philippines’ Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development in partnership with the Ministry of Human Settlements and Development – BARMM (MHSD-BARMM) and various humanitarian organizations including Catholic Relief Services (CRS), International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Philippine Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, International Organization for Migration/UN Migration, Build Change, Save the Children, Caritas Philippines, and the United Architects of the Philippines – Resilience Architects, the Forum was held as a specialized and focus event following the hosting of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster-Risk Reduction last October.
This year, more than 200 foreign delegates from over 300 registered participants joined APSSF 2024. The Forum sessions focused on three core themes, namely, preparedness and relief supporting shelter and settlements recovery; supporting wellbeing and resilience; and the promotion of environment, inclusion and innovation in shelter and settlements programming.
Key messages
In his keynote remarks, DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar underscored the Philippines’ dedication to sustainable housing through President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s Flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. He emphasized the department’s efforts to advance housing and urban renewal that prioritizes sustainability, balancing economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship.
Meanwhile, Asia Regional Director for CRS Michelle Ryan highlighted in her message the importance of “collaborating in identifying holistic, locally-rooted solutions that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and inclusivity.”
Other distinguished keynote speakers included Minister Hamid Aminoddin Barra of MHSD-BARMM, Joint Secretary Arjun Kumar Bam of Nepal’s National Disaster Reduction and Management Authority, and Secretary Khalid M. Shaikh of the Pakistan Sindh Government and CEO of Sindh People’s Housing for Flood Affectees.
Forum highlights
Expert Panels and Workshops. The Forum hosted over a dozen and half of expert panels’ sessions and workshops addressing critical issues such as innovations in Philippine Government shelter programs, integrating disaster-risks reduction in government programs, partnerships for effective disaster preparedness, sustainable building practices, enhanced resilience through integrated and localized responses, nature-based solutions for resilient shelter and settlement, anticipatory actions, supporting diverse pathways to recovery, coordinated humanitarian partnership, community-driven recovery efforts, and more. These sessions provided delegates with a venue for discussing practices and solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by the Asia-Pacific region.
Networking Opportunities. Participants were provided with the chance to network with peers, establish new relationships, and exchange ideas. The event facilitated meaningful interactions among government representatives, CSOs, NGOs, and stakeholders, thus promoting a collaborative approach in handling shelter and settlement related challenges.
Showcase of Innovations. The Forum also exhibited cutting-edge technologies and products, and promoted services and methodologies that enhance community resilience and sustainability in shelter and settlements.
Impact
The holding of APSSF 2024 drew attention to the progress in shelter and settlement practices, in general, and disaster risks reduction efforts, in particular. The insights gained and new collaborations established had set the stage for more future interactions. As the forum concluded, participants expressed optimism for greater involvement and teamwork.
At the tail end of the 3-day Forum, a typhoon hit the country, causing the delegates’ field visit to be cancelled. But as one participant echoed, the Forum must be God sent for it allowed attending humanitarian coordinators and experts to move rapidly, coordinated needed assistance with principals in their respective global offices, supported efforts through timely advice, joined inspection and relief teams, and called upon their donors for resources assistance and mobilization. To date, many have remained in the country to help out as our communities braced for successive typhoons and disasters.
Indeed, APSSF 2024 has strengthened the foundation for a more inclusive approach towards a resilient Philippines and an Asia-Pacific region.
