City of San Fernando – The National Nutrition Council Region III held its 2nd round of Nutrition in Emergencies (NiE) Forum on August 22, 2014 at the Conference Hall, DOH-Regional Health Office III. A total of 88 participants attended the NiE Forum. This consists of delegates and representatives from the different partner agencies as well as the Nutrition Action Officers (NAOs) and City/Municiapl Nutrition Committee (C/MNC) members from the City of San Fernando, Mabalacat City, Angeles City, Tarlac City, Municipalitites of Pampanga (Guagua, Lubao, Sasmuan, Bacolor, San Simon, Mexico, Candaba, Apalit, Porac), Bulacan (Calumpit, Paombong) and Provincial Nutrition action Officer (PNAO) of Zambales Province.
The activity is aimed at creating or enhancing awareness among the participants on the fundamentals of nutrition in emergencies management, to give an overview on disaster risk reduction and management with a special focus on cluster approach and presentation of the preparedness and response strategies of the government and non-government sector on nutrition in times of calamities.
Mr. Darius Vallejos of the Office of the Civil Defense Region III gave the participants a bird’s eye view of the cluster approach in focus where he presented the different types of disasters and the basic life support and survival system that the country in general and the region in particular prepares in time of calamities.
The introduction to Nutrition in Emergencies was discussed by Nutrition Program Coordinator Florinda V. Panlilio. The discussion focused on the need for a higher level of preparedness considering the current nutrition situation in the country and that in the region as well as on the different actions that must be undertaken at each timeline during disaster in relation to the health and nutritional well being of the community. NPC Panlilio differentiated Nutrition in Emergencies and Nutrition Emergencies so as to create a better understanding why both the government and non-government agencies are putting best efforts in reducing malnutrition during disasters especially to the most vulnerable population of the community. She outlined how can the community and how each family and individual can prepare for a calamity that can strike anywhere, anytime and anyhow. She ended with a reflection that “when the disaster strikes, the time to prepare has passed”.
To understand the emergency management strategies supporting NiE, Ms. Lerrie S. Hernandez of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Region III detailed the roles of DILG during disasters and how resources are equitably distributed to all affected population. Accordingly, coordinated efforts of the LGUs and the agencies during disaster, damages assessment and relief operation are said to be more effective and efficient at the outset.
The Philippine Red Cross has been a resilient partner when it comes to nutrition response during disaster therefore Director Augusto B. Ocampo of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Central Luzon focused on the response strategies that a Non-Government Organizations (NGO) can do. PRC is continually strengthening the response strategies in the country through investing on the preparation, response and recovery. The organization has been a consistent partner in the conduct of NIE fora, planning and research, nutrition education and risk communication. For the chronic response phase, PRC also conducts nutrition survey and surveillance, collaboration on food safety and food security interventions and resource mobilization. It helps in the recovery phase through case follow up, collaboration on livelihood interventions and resource replenishment. He stressed that in the crucial stage of a disaster, the non-government unit plays a complimentary benefit to the government sector.
The health response strategies from the government were elaborated by Dr. Evelyn David of Health Emergency Management System of Department of Health (DOH) Region III. Rapid health assessment, health situation update, deployment of teams for technical assistance and provision of vaccines and micronutrient supply for the communities affected, according to Dr. David, are the primary activities and services performed and deliveredby the DOH with support from other government agencies during disaster. The DOH is working in the distribution and allocation of medicines and medical supplies donated by the NGOs.
The recovery and rehabilitation strategies were discussed by Ms. Marissa S. Aquino of National Economic and Development Authority Region III. She stressed that the main goal is to restore and improve facilities, livelihood and living conditions of affected communities that through the provision of adequate financing and technical assistance, recovery and sustainability of livelihood and economic activities will be quickly achieved or revived. The government should also focus on the reconstruction of houses and other infrastructure that was greatly affected by the disaster in order to immediately restore normal living condition.
The NiE Forum was conducted complementary to the NIE forum which was postponed because of Typhoon Glenda last 16 July 2014. It is believed that through the knowledge acquired by the participants regarding nutrition in emergencies the objectives of the Nutrition Month Theme of promoting interventions to address nutritional needs for emergency preparedness, response and recovery phases, motivating responders who can be immediately deployed to address gaps in nutrition in emergency response, and increasing awareness on coping and resiliency strategies to prevent malnutrition and worsening of nutritional status are achieved.
Leaning forward, a disaster-resilient Central Luzon is achieved through nutrition in emergencies management interventions in place.
