Emergencies and disasters do happen. But we can prevent, if not minimize, the losses of limbs, lives and properties brought by disasters if we are better prepared.
It is essential for the general public to realize the importance of preparedness during emergencies. Thus, the National Nutrition Council-NCR in support of the 40th Nutrition Month celebration conducted a Stakeholders’ Forum on Nutrition in Emergencies on July 23, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Quezon City. Attended by close to 500 participants from all over Metro Manila, the forum served as an opportune time to create awareness on and elicit support for Nutrition in Emergencies among the various stakeholders in the region.
At the forum, RNPC Milagros Elisa Federizo stressed that, “As health and nutrition workers, public servants and those who have a stake in the well-being of our communities, we should - more than anyone else, be prepared and ready to respond accordingly during emergencies and disasters to protect the health and nutritional well-being of those affected by calamities or disasters”. On the other hand, DOH-NCRO Assistant Regional Director Ruben Siapno emphasized the proper way of serving – to serve with a smile and positivity. Responders cannot afford to breakdown and wallow in the difficulties brought by the disaster.
Dr. Jose Mari C. Castro, Regional HEMS Coordinator, focused on disaster preparedness. The Philippines experiences different types of man-made and natural disasters. We should therefore be always vigilant and ready for any calamity or disaster. The nutrition month theme, “Kalamidad paghandaan: Gutom at malnutrisyon agapan!” was explained by Ms. May Enriquez, Nutrition Officer II of the NNC-Nutrition Policy and Planning Division. She emphasized the minimum nutrition service package that the nutrition clusters should be able to provide to the affected population.
Mandaluyong City IYCF Program Coordinator Dr. Shari Ludovina L. Sabalvaro talked about the importance of promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding and proper complementary feeding especially during emergencies. The use of breastmilk substitutes during disasters only puts infants and young children to increased risk of infections, particularly diarrhea, which can lead to malnutrition.
On behalf of the Barangay Chairpersons present at the forum, Liga ng mga Barangay President in NCR, Brgy. Captain Ricardo Corpuz of Brgy. Bungad, Quezon City, expressed his commitment to organize barangay nutrition cluster and implement Nutrition in Emergencies. Mandaluyong City Nutrition Action Officer Mrs. Menchie Abalos also pledged to support this endeavor by implementing nutrition programs to ensure the nutritional well-being of their communities even before emergencies strike. They led the rest of the stakeholders in the pledge of commitment to organize local nutrition clusters and participate in the implementation of Nutrition in Emergencies.
Beauty queen and celebrity Ms. Daisy Reyes graced the event being the Ambassadress of Good Nutrition in the region. She encouraged everyone to continue the fight against hunger and malnutrition. If the children and families are healthy and well-nourished even before a calamity happens, they will have better chances of survival and will be more resilient.
The participants of the forum were composed of members of the regional nutrition partners including Regional Nutrition Committee members, Regional Nutrition Management Group, Nutrition Cluster, Regional Media Group, City Nutrition Action Officers, City Health Officers, Local Nutrition Committee members, City and Municipal Councilors, HEMs and IYCF Coordinators, C/DNPCs, BNSs and BFSGs, Barangay Captains and Barangay Nutrition Action Officers. There were also participants from the academe (CEU-Manila), professional organization (NDAP), and non-government organizations.
Through the forum, the NNC-NCR is optimistic that communities in Metro manila will be better prepared during calamities and disasters and that hunger and malnutrition will not worsen in times of emergencies.
(PJMA/MEVF/NNC-NCR)
