The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended more than PHP82 million in humanitarian aid to families and individuals affected by the combined effects of Tropical Storm Basyang and the shear line.
In a radio interview on Monday, Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD Disaster Response Management Group said the humanitarian aid, included 78,191 family food packs (FFPs), 6,225 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.
The assistance was distributed to disaster-affected families in Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Negros Island Region, and Caraga.
Aside from food and non-food items (FNFIs), the DSWD is also providing psychosocial first aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and play therapy–based psychosocial activities for internally displaced children.
“Mayroon na binabahaginan natin ng psychosocial first aid kasi marami sa kanila na first time na makaranas ng ganoong epekto ng isang bagyo lalong-lalo na yung vulnerable sector—yung mga matatanda, yung mga bata. Bahagi yan ng mandato natin (We are providing psychosocial first aid to vulnerable sectors such as the elderly and the youth. That is part of our mandate) to protect the rights and interests of internally displaced persons,” Dumlao said.
In line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Saturday met with local chief executives of Northern Mindanao, one of the most affected regions, to determine the other forms of assistance needed by families inside and outside evacuation centers.
“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. (Our goal, in line with the President’s directive, is to ensure that all the needs of affected families are provided) to support their recovery,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Dumlao said interventions for the recovery phase may come in the form of financial aid such as emergency cash transfer (ECT) and cash-for-work, based on the results of the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) and assessments of the DSWD’s social workers. (PNA)