The National Nutrition Council represented by Ms. Margarita DC. Enriquez of Nutrition Policy and Planning Division and Ms. Leah M. Felismino of Nutrition Surveillance Division participated in the Regional Nutrition Cluster V meeting on 7 February 2018 with Ms. Janice P. Feliciano of Health Emergency Management Bureau of the Department of Health. The meeting, presided by RD Napoleon Arevalo and NNC Nutrition Program Coordinator Arlene Reario, discussed the ongoing nutrition response activities being conducted by the government and other stakeholders during the Mayon Volcano eruption. Response activities for nutrition include provision of 3 boiled eggs a week to children under five years, and supplementation with vitamin A capsule and multiple micronutrient powder for children 6-23 months; provision of services along infant and young child feeding in emergencies, supplementary feeding and management of acute malnutrition among young children. About 20 registered nutritionist-dietitians were hired and trained to assist in the provision of nutrition services.
After the meeting, the group visited the evacuation centers in Tabaco City and in Camalig, Albay. Local health and nutrition staff on information management were also interviewed. The team also observed cooking demonstration using food from the general food distribution such as lumpia with corned beef and kamote, creamy noodle soup, tortang noodles, and yang chow fried rice. Information and Education Communication (IEC) materials like NNC’s Nutri-komiks were distributed to children and mothers to contribute in enhancing their awareness and knowledge on proper nutrition even during disasters and emergencies.
Bicol, once more, demonstrated its resilience and preparedness in emergency and disaster. The cooperation of the community in response to the local disaster risk reduction and management request for immediate evacuation and the proactiveness of the region in providing continuous support for the basic needs of the community facilitated implementation of Bicol’s emergency response, saving countless lives.
(Margarita Enriquez and Leah Felismino)
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