The “Taal Disaster Response” experience paved the way for the development of new Information Management (IM) tools and other information materials for use in evacuation centers to respond more efficiently and more effectively to the nutritional needs of recipients during disasters and emergencies.
Nutrition Databoard
One of the Information Management (IM) tools developed by the Calabarzon RNC is the Nutrition Databoard. They are placed in the entrance of evacuation centers to ensure that duplications of data sources are avoided and all target groups are covered.
Demographic Data and Assessment. This part includes the number of 0-59 months children assessed in the evacuation center and their nutritional status based on their mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC). It will help in the identification and targeting of children with acute malnutrition in the ECs.
Maternal Nutrition and Infant & Young Child Feeding. It includes the number of pregnant and lactating women (PLW) present and counselled in the ECs. It also shows the trimester of pregnancy and the nutritional status based on MUAC. These are the data needed in identifying the malnourished mothers and pregnant mothers who are referred to lying-in centers or hospitals.
Micronutrient Supplementation. The number of children and PLW given commodities such as micronutrient powder, iron, iron with folic acid, vitamin A and calcium carbonate are listed in this section of the data board. This will help in checking the number of target groups still needed to be given commodities and in monitoring the stocks of supplies.
Dietary Supplementation and Management of Acute Malnutrition. The number of 24-59 months children and PLW enrolled in supplementary feeding and those given with Ready to Use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) are listed in this portion.
Breastfeeding. This part contains details on the presence of Mother-Baby Friendly Spaces or Lactation Station and presence of Breastfeeding Support Groups.
Nutrition Support Staff. This section provides the contact details of the assigned Nutrition Action Officer (NAO), Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in the ECs for faster and easy communication.
The data board was designed based on the seen data/information needed by the Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) to respond better to the nutritionally needy population affected by the Taal Volcanic Eruption and can likewise be used in the future , in other disasters.
Other Information Materials
The other information materials developed by the RNC were A4-sized tarpaulins on EO51 “No Milk Donations” and on the value of “Breastfeeding.” These materials were developed by the RNC in response to the issues related to milk donations.
During the RNC deployment, some of the personnel in the evacuation centers admitted to having accepted and distributed the milk donations as they apparently lacked the knowledge on EO 51. However, the distribution and posting of the of the EO 51 posters by the RNC in evacuation centers in the donation receiving desk was able to stop the supply and demand of infant formula milk donations.
Health and nutrition workers as well as camp managers in all ECs were also informed and oriented on EO 51 and infant and young child feeding. Over 1000 copies of the EO 51 posters were produced, distributed and posted in more than 100 ECs. These were also supplied to the provinces, cities and municipalities in CaLaBaRZon during the Emergency Meetings on Taal Eruption Response for the Affected Areas.
Enhancing Nutrition Response During Disaters and Emergencies
The initiatives on IM Tools Information materials in Calabarzon RNC will definitely create better awareness of policies, provide accurate data sources. It will also reduce the impact of disasters. It is a challenging task to always be ready and equipped with tools and information materials to enhance nutrition response.
By: Mary Emerene P. Pingol
