DATU ODIN SINSUAT, Maguindanao del Norte. Some 1,000 children in villages hardest hit by Typhoon Paeng here have received aid in debriefing plays, capped with gift toys and school supplies through a series of post-disaster outreach activities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The relief mission held last November 11 involved social workers from the BARMM’s Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) in time for the observance of this year’s Children’s Month.
MSSD Minister and member of Parliament Raissa Jajurie led the outreach activities together with representatives of the Regional Committee for the Welfare of Children (RCWC) and of the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council (RJJWC) for children who have remained sheltered in evacuation centers here, after their families were displaced by Typhoon Paeng since October 28.
In Kusiong Elementary School, one of the locally designated evacuation centers, 350 children took part in playful stress debriefing sessions, and were given toys and hygiene kits.
Each of the 292 children aged 3 to 15 years old received bags containing school supplies and hygiene kits.
MSSD workers backed by volunteers from the RCWC and RJJWC hosted the kids during the commemoration activities, with the theme BangonBatangBangsamoro.
Jajurie said the theme “encapsulates and amplifies the efforts along the Bangsamoro government’s interventions to (uphold) the rights of the child on development, protection, survival, and participation, with a special focus on children who have psychologically sufferedmuch from their families’ experience during onslaught of Typhoon Paeng.
The MSSD conducted a similar outreach program in Dinaig Elementary School evacuation center where 315 children who received sets of school supplies.
During the play therapy, the children participated in parlor games and a talent show. They were entertained by a Pikachu mascot that took part in the therapy play.
The Ministry of Health diagnostic mobile clinic also backed the outreach activities as BARMM health workers held a medical mission for the displaced families temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers.
The MSSD also gave away school bags stuffed with school supplies along with hygiene kits for 30 children of displaced families staying at the Cotabato evacuation center.
Jajurie, along with Deputy MSSD Minister Nur-Ainee Tan Lim, and PSWO Hadja Emma Salik Ali led the outreach program.
For its part, the Army’s 6th infantry division distributed relief goods from the PMA Alumni Association.
Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Jim Sampulna, through his wife, retired Population Commission regional director Bai Agnes, donated slippers for the children.
