Stronger Together: UNHCR and UNICEF Deepen Partnership Beyond Addressing Childhood Statelessness in the Philippines

MANILA 21 September 2026 – A birth certificate can mean the difference between being visible or invisible. It is often the first proof of identity, opening the door to education, health care, social protection, and other services that help children thrive. Without it, children face greater risks of exclusion and statelessness. 

To help ensure that every child is counted and protected, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) have strengthened their partnership through a Letter of Understanding (LoU) that builds on nearly a decade of collaboration in the Philippines.

Signed by Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative in the Philippines, and Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, Head of National Office of UNHCR Philippines, the agreement formalizes a partnership that has already helped thousands of children and families secure legal identity while expanding access to essential services.  

The agreement builds on the agencies' longstanding collaboration under the Philippines Strategy on Ending Childhood Statelessness and years of joint work that have expanded from a single barangay in Tawi-Tawi in 2017 to 50 local government units by 2025.  

UNICEF and UNHCR have helped more than 25,000 people, including over 17,000 children, obtain legal identity documents, reducing the risk of exclusion and statelessness while improving access to education, health care, social protection and other essential services. The partnership has strengthened civil registration systems, supported policy reforms, expanded digital and mobile registration services, and reached more than 600,000 people through community engagement and advocacy efforts. More than 50 local government units have received technical support to improve access to registration services, particularly for vulnerable and historically marginalized communities. 

Building on the joint work and the impact of the Government of Japan-funded Initiative for Promoting Birth Registration in BARMM and Sulu project, the LoU establishes a shared strategic framework for UNICEF and UNHCR to formalize roles, strengthen coordination and work more strategically together. 

The agreement will carry this momentum forward, deepening cooperation on birth registration and childhood statelessness while expanding joint action in child protection, education, social protection, refugee inclusion and support for displaced and vulnerable populations to reach more children and families.

“For children, what matters is not which organization delivers support, but whether that support reaches them when they need it. By bringing together the strengths of UNICEF and UNHCR, this agreement allows us to build on what works, reach more children and families, and deliver greater impact through a more coordinated approach," said Kyungsun Kim, UNICEF Representative in the Philippines. 

Carrying forward the success of this partnership, UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office, Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, highlighted the importance of collective efforts in protecting the most vulnerable. She noted, “Building on the gains of our long-standing partnership, UNHCR remains committed to ensuring that every child is recognized, protected, and has access to a legal identity, so they can live with dignity, belong, and realize their full potential.” Valdeavilla-Gallardo calls for a continued partnership to address the evolving challenges facing asylum seekers, refugees, internally displaced persons, stateless persons and those at risk. ”As inequalities remain, and new risks emerge, we hope that we continue to work together.” she added. 

This call for continued cooperation also reflects the broader commitment of the United Nations to deliver results together. "This partnership reflects the power of the United Nations working as one to ensure that every child is recognized, protected, and included. By combining their strengths, UNICEF and UNHCR are helping expand access to legal identity and essential services for vulnerable children, refugees, and displaced communities across the Philippines. Collaboration leads to the greatest impact,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Philippines Arnauld Peral. 

This renewed partnership is a step toward a Philippines where no child is left unseen, unprotected or beyond the reach of essential services. It reflects the United Nations’ enduring commitment to deliver stronger, more coordinated support for children and families and shape a more sustainable and prosperous future for the country.