By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In the wake of the combined effects of Tropical Storm Basyang (international name: Penha), which struck Northern Mindanao, and the shear line that brought devastation to Bicol Region and the Visayas last week, the DSWD has mobilized various forms of humanitarian aid and assistance to affected communities in these calamity-stricken areas.
As of late Monday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has provided more than P82 million in family food packs (FFPs), ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes, and non-food items (NFIs) such as hygiene, sleeping, and kitchen kits, as well as water containers and modular tents.
DSWD Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said in a media interview, “Batay nga sa aming pinaka huling monitoring, ang Department of Social Welfare and Development ay nakapag-paabot na ng tulong at nagkakahalaga ito ng mahigit P82 million. ‘Yan ay binubuo ng family food packs, ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes, gayundin ng mga hygiene kits, sleeping kits, water containers, at modular tents.”
The assistance, as mentioned by Asec. Dumlao has been distributed to disaster-affected families in Regions 5 (Bicol Region), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), 10 (Northern Mindanao), 11 (Davao Region), Negros Island Region (NIR), and Caraga Region.
Psychosocial first aid was provided to internally displaced persons (IDPs) by the agency, complemented by counseling services for children at evacuation centers.
Earlier, DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro to assess the damage left behind by the onslaught of the tropical cyclone, assuring residents of sufficient basic necessities to aid in their recovery from the calamity.
The Social Welfare Spokesperson expounded, “Ang layunin natin dito, of course, alinsunod na rin sa kautusan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na tiyakin na lahat ng pangangailangan ng mga naapektuhan ng bagyo ay agaran nating maipahatid to support the recovery of those who have been affected.”
As of press time, DSWD social workers are conducting Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) in affected locales, with the results of this analysis being collated for use in the distribution of necessary financial interventions such as the emergency cash transfer (ECT) and cash-for-work.
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