In the midst of the suffering and the resulting energy and food insecurity caused in part by the war in Ukraine lies an oasis of hope in the Mountain Province of the Philippines.

Thanks to Malteser International (MI) in cooperation with the Order of Malta in the Philippines (OMP), water insecurity has abated in Mankayan, Benguet. In four of its villages, 250 households now have access to safe and sufficient supply of water for drinking, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), including solid waste management — all of which have led to the reduced incidence of airborne diseases, especially among the most vulnerable.

As a member of the MI Americas board and the Order of Malta in the US, I recently had the opportunity to visit Mankayan and see for myself the three water tanks for rain harvesting and WASH which MI/OMP installed.

As a grandmother, I was delighted to learn that the four beneficiary schools  inculcate the importance of water as a valuable resource and incorporate WASH training starting with a regular practice of washing at the start of each school day. As an environmental protection measure, also included in their education program, is proper waste disposal done in the co-located material recovery facilities.

Mankayan is faced with another environmental challenge:  recurring typhoons and deforestation (due to farming and mining activities), which have caused landslides.  To reduce the risks of disaster, MI and OMP have implemented a reforestation initiative through the planting of Benguet pine trees. Hundreds of volunteers from different local tribes join in this civic work, imbuing a sense of responsibility for their environment and creating an atmosphere conducive to community cohesion.

I am extremely proud to be part of the global institution of the Order of Malta and its humanitarian relief organization, Malteser International. While the Order has boots on the ground in Ukraine and its bordering countries, in remote communities throughout the world, critical humanitarian work continues to promote   quality of life and give dignity to the underserved in forgotten parts of the world.

The Mankayans have understood the impact of our work with deep gratitude.  Yet climate change  effects have resulted in insufficient safe water particularly during the dry season, a problem that can be addressed by adding extra water systems and tanks. In addition, seeing the benefits on their neighbors, other communities especially schools have appealed for assistance in addressing their water insecurity. I hope you will join me in answering their call.