The Regional Nutrition Cluster of Region 2, together with the National Nutrition Cluster and Regional Nutrition Cluster of Region 1 provided nutrition response to several municipalities in the provinces of Cagayan and Isabela affected by a major flooding starting on November 18, 2020 and is currently on-going. The team provided appropriate nutrition in services to disaster-stricken population to prevent worsening of nutritional situation. These minimum nutrition service package include Maternal Nutrition Infant and Young Child Feeding (MNIYCF) Promotion, Micronutrient Supplementation, Dietary Supplementation Program, and Philippine Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (PIMAM). These services are also provided amid the pandemic. Minimum health protocols such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks and face shields are observed in the delivery of services.
These teams had been to municipalities of Lal-lo, Aparri, Amulung, Alcala, Baggao, and Lasam in Cagayan Province, and in the municipality of Sta. Maria in Isabela Province, with 11 barangays were catered. 205 preschool children aged 0-59 months old and 114 pregnant and lactating women were provided with nutrition services. All the 205 preschool children were given infant kits containing body lotion, bath soap, and baby powder, and MNIYCF counselling. All pregnant and lactating women were also provided MNIYCF counselling to ensure their good nutrition and exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months of the infant and complementary feeding from six months and beyond. Proper and good nutrition were also promoted. Teams identified three (3) Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM) children and were given ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF). 11 pregnant women were also identified to be nutritionally-at-risk and were provided nutrition counselling. Only 16 young children were given additional dose of Vitamin A since most of the local government units were able to provide Vitamin A less than a month on the onset of the disaster.
It was on 15 November 2020 when the province of Cagayan declared a “State of Calamity” in the whole province following the flooding that occurred in several municipalities of the province and in Tuguegarao City. The several municipalities from the Province of Isabela was also affected by the flooding. The event was coined as the widest and largest flooding in the region. Thousands of families were forced evacuated to ensure safety among themselves. Children, pregnant and lactating women, elderly people, and other vulnerable sectors were exposed to different threats imposed by the flooding, including worsening of malnutrition cases.
The Regional Nutrition Clusters of Regions 1 and 2, together with Cagayan Valley and Ilocos Region Centers for Health Development target to cater affected population in Enrile, Cagayan, and Sto. Tomas and San Pablo, Isabela from November 27-29, 2020. - EMArcinue
