Nutrition plays a more vital part in life of people in times of emergencies and calamities
This situation inspired the Department of Health Regional Office 02 (DOH-R02) specifically thru the Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) to tap the expertise of National Nutrition Council (NNC-R02) in organizing the recently held Nutrition in Emergencies Training last May 26-29 at Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
In order to push through this event, head agency invited different Nutrition Action Officer coming from various priority municipalities in the region. The participants were composed of all twenty (20) municipalities of Cagayan, ten (10) are from Isabela (Dinapigue, Divilacan, Ilagan, Maconacon, Palanan, Cauayan, Jones, Ilagan, Santiago and Sta. Maria) while five (5) municipalities are from Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castaneda, Ambaguio, Bayabag, Kayapa and Sta. Fe). In addition, the remaining participants came from Quirino Province (Aglipay, Cabarrougis, Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunan, Saguday).
With its core objective, to lessen mortality rate during disasters and calamities by ensuring that the communities are prepared and nutritional needs of people are adequate during those times. The five day seminar jump start by providing each participant a background about the over-all view of National Disaster Risk Reduction Management System which includes its framework, national policies, and directives.
Moreover, attendees were also enlightened who are the duly constituted agencies that should be involved during emergencies and disasters. Discussion on the operationalization of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) act of 2010 are also highlighted to give emphasis on the proper conduct of the said mandate.
Furthermore, facilitators prepared actual professional services that nutrition in emergencies personnel must perform. It also engaged the trainees to simulate the various skills and techniques in preventing the worsening of nutrition problems existing prior to the occurrence of the disaster or emergency. During the entire duration of the training participants were given opportunity to develop their present competencies as trainers by having a small group discussion and plenary session that gave way for their own improvement.
As a result, the five day training massively increase the knowledge and skills of the present municipal nutrition officers in coping up during like situation. Consequently, NNC R-02 are always ready to extend their arms especially in giving technical and intellectual support in order to give improvement not only in the regional health status but also in the country as well.
