45 Years Fighting for the World's Most Forgotten People With Steven Muncy

The mission of CFSI is to vigorously protect and promote human security — specifically, the lives, well being and dignity of people uprooted by persecution, armed conflict, disasters, and other exceptionally difficult circumstances.

Community and Family Services International (CFSI) is a humanitarian organization with extensive experience in the humanitarian and development arenas. The Organization was conceived in 1981 in response to the needs and strengths of refugees from Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Laos at the Philippine Refugee Processing Center in Bataan. Based in the Philippines and working internationally since 1989, CFSI has served in ten countries/territories in Asia, often in response to large-scale humanitarian emergencies, including: Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste (East Timor), and Viet Nam. Currently, CFSI is operational in the Philippines (since 1981), Viet Nam (since 1992) and Myanmar (since 1998). The vision of CFSI is diverse people living together in dignity, peace and harmony. The mission is to vigorously protect and promote human security—specifically the lives, well-being, and dignity of people uprooted by persecution, armed conflict, disaster and other exceptionally difficult circumstances. CFSI has two goals. First, to empower and equip uprooted people and others in exceptionally difficult circumstances to address and prevent social and health problems. Second, to prevent children, women, and men from becoming uprooted by promoting peace, respect for human rights, and the equitable distribution of resources. In the Philippines, CFSI operations include extensive humanitarian relief, recovery, reconstruction, and development activities in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao (since 2000); emergency relief and recovery efforts in response to large-scale natural disasters in various part of the country—Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao (since 1990); assistance to refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons throughout the Philippines from at least sixty-five countries and territories; and work with disadvantaged and vulnerable youth near CFSI Headquarters in Pasay City. All of this work is carried out in cooperation with a wide range of partners, including: the international community; Government at various levels; non-state actors; the private sector – including nongovernmental organizations, corporations, and civil society; and academic institutions in the Philippines as well as abroad. In addition to the Philippines, CFSI has extensive humanitarian operations in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar (since 1998) and remains actively engaged in Viet Nam (since 1992), largely in human resources development for enhanced social protection throughout the country. CFSI is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of fifteen (15) individuals distinguished in various fields who serve in a completely voluntary capacity, undertake visits to the sites of CFSI operations, and convene at least five times a year. Board Members are, at present, based on four continents Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. Amb. Narcisa Escaler is the current Chairperson of the Board, elected in November 2025. The Senior Management Team is comprised of the Executive Director (Dr. Steven Muncy), Deputy Executive Director for Programmes, Deputy Executive Director for Finance and Administration, Chief of Staff, Director for Mindanao Programme, and Director for Rakhine Programme. CFSI is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines as a not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization; registered and licensed for nation-wide service by the Philippine Government’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and certified at the highest level by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification (PCNC). CFSI has “Donee Institution” status with the Bureau of Internal Revenue. With regards to network participation, CFSI is a member and, currently, Secretariat of the Philippine Inclusive NGO Network (PINGON) as well as a member of the Association of Foundations (AF) in the Philippines, Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN), International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA), and the Core Humanitarian Standards Alliance (CHS Alliance).