The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has made the psychosocial well-being of children a top priority after recent typhoons forced thousands of them to seek temporary shelter in evacuation centers.
In a statement on Tuesday, DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency’s arm in CALABARZON initiated recreational activities at the municipal gymnasium in Mauban town, one of the designated evacuation centers in Quezon province following the onslaught of Super Typhoon ‘Uwan.’
“Tinitiyak ng DSWD na may pagkakataon ang mga bata na maglaro, makipag-salamuha sa kapwa nila, at maipahayag ang kanilang nararamdaman. Kasing halaga ito ng pagbibigay sa kanila ng pagkain at ligtas na matutuluyan sa ganitong panahon,” Dumlao, who also leads the Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG).
(The DSWD ensures that children have the opportunity to play, socialize with others, and express their feelings. It is worth as much as giving them food and a safe place to stay during this time.)
According to the DRMG assistant secretary, children participated in games, art sessions, and storytelling activities, creating a safe and supportive environment amid the ongoing disaster.
Every evacuation center should include spaces that are friendly to women and children, as they are among the most vulnerable, said the DSWD spokesperson.
“Ginagawa natin ang mga recreational activities, storytelling sessions, at iba pang programa upang matulungan ang mga bata sa kanilang psychosocial well-being. Ayaw nating may maramdaman silang takot at pangamba hahang nasa loob ng evacuation centers,” Dumlao said.
(We do recreational activities, storytelling sessions, and other programs to help children with their psychosocial well-being. We don’t want them to feel fear and apprehension inside the evacuation centers.)
As the vice chair of the government’s National Disaster Response Cluster, the DSWD coordinates with local government units (LGUs) and partner agencies to ensure that families affected by disasters receive immediate assistance.
The DSWD also leads the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) efforts, overseeing the operations and management of evacuation centers to ensure the safety and well-being of all evacuees.
