Situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The Pacific Ring of Fire is where at least 450 active and dormant volcanoes are found and where 90% of all earthquakes strike.
Every year, our country experiences almost all forms of natural and human-induced calamities, such as typhoons, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, landslides, fires, and armed conflict (CFE-DM 2018). And, just last year, we were caught in shock as the COVID-19 global pandemic hit us.
Disasters, emergencies, and pandemics pose great threats to nutrition. The general population, especially the vulnerable groups, is put at-risk to malnutrition during these very challenging times due to lack of access to necessities such as food and water, proper sanitation, nutrition and health services.
National Nutrition Council (NNC) Governing Board Resolution No.1, Series of 2009 mentions the organization of local nutrition clusters to ensure delivery of the minimum service package for nutrition. Threats on nutrition brought about by disasters and emergencies could be mitigated through the delivery of various nutrition and related interventions, which are best identified and implemented through processes that allow the maximum participation of those affected.
Integral to emergency and disaster preparedness are, but not limited to, sharing relevant nutrition and other related-information, resources, services and systems among agencies or individuals directly involved, inclusion of nutrition management in emergency and disaster situations as a component of the local plans of action for nutrition and should be incorporated in the local disaster preparedness plan, and provision of political, technological, financial resources, and information to build the capacity to cope with the immediate issues and institute long-term and developmental nutrition initiatives. The resolution also inclines government agencies and Non-government Organizations (NGOs)/ International Multilateral Organizations (IMOs) to partake in supporting nutrition during emergencies and disasters.
Moreover, supported by Republic Act 10821 or Children’s Emergency Relief Act, the delivery of nutrition services and provision of support for immediate recovery to children and pregnant and lactating mothers must be ensured during disasters and emergencies. This includes, but not limited to, establishment of safe and gender-sensitive evacuation centers, delivery of immediate necessities including food and water, medicine, clothing, sanitary and hygiene kits, and promotion of children's rights during these times.
Likewise, a range of services as a response to the effects of displacement and vulnerability of women in crises shall be delivered. Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Memorandum Circular 116, s. 2015 encourages displaced women as well as men to avail of services such as reproductive health and medical mission for pregnant and lactating women, provision of food and non-food items, psychosocial support interventions, sustainable livelihood support, and essential business management/entrepreneurial skills enhancement among others.
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, NNC issued guidelines for local governments, NGOs, business sectors, and other civic organizations to address the global dilemma. This includes stricter Executive Order 51 wherein no breastmilk substitutes of any kind shall not be accepted as donations, and inclusion of healthy and nutritious food items in family food packs for distribution. It is worth note-taking that optimal nutrition is the body’s defense against diseases.
Supporting nutrition during emergencies should be treated with high importance and urgency because this results to safer, adaptive, and disaster resilient Filipino communities towards sustainable development.
SIMON B. COPEZ & BELLA M. BASALONG
References:
Center for Excellence-Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance
[CFE-DM]]. 2018. Disaster Management Reference Handbook.
DOH-HEMB, NNC, IHNF-CHE-UPLB, UNICEF and WFP. (2021).
A Handbook on Nutrition in Emergencies for Local Chief Executives. Manila, Philippines.
Department of Science and Technology-Food and Nutrition Research Institute. (2020). Rapid Nutrition Assessment Survey on Food Security, Coping Mechanisms, and Nutrition Services Availed during COVID-19 Pandemic in Selected Areas in the Philippines
