Japan is supporting efforts to strengthen maternal and child health services for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the conflict-affected islands of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa).
On 22 January 2026, Japanese Ambassador ENDO Kazuya signed and exchanged notes with International Organization for Migration (IOM) Chief of Mission Tristan Burnett for the project “Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Services for Internally Displaced Persons on the Remote Islands of Conflict-Affected Areas.”
The ceremony was attended by officials from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Ministry of Health, the Department of Health, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency.
The Government of Japan will provide a grant of ¥516 million to upgrade health facilities and provide maternal, newborn, and child health equipment compliant with Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care (BEmONC) and PhilHealth standards. The project also includes training and technical assistance to help facilities achieve and maintain accreditation.
Dubbed REACH BASULTA (Resilient and Equitable Access to Care and Health in BASULTA), the initiative addresses gaps in facility readiness, workforce capacity, and community awareness, with a focus on displaced and mobile populations. It also supports culturally sensitive health promotion campaigns and PhilHealth registration drives to expand access to quality care.
Ambassador Endo said the project underscores Japan’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive health system where mothers and children can access essential services.