In the aftermath of the devastating impact of typhoon Ulysses in November 10, and amidst floods -- the emergency response interventions of DOH-NNC Calabarzon Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) were  continuous -- to provide  the  urgent nutrition  needs of the victims of the disaster. The DOH-NNC Calabarzon RNC assumed once more its undiminished commitment, dedication and service, with the guidance and leadership of Ms. Carina Z. Santiago, Calabarzon Regional Nutrition Program Coordinator (RNPC).

Activation of  the “Incident Command System,”  A meeting convened by DOH Center for Health Development – IV-A headed by Dir. Eduardo Janairo, and joined by DOH ASec Francie Laxamana to activate the “Incident Command System was attended by NNC staff representing the Nutrition Cluster, for the necessary guidance in the TY Ulysses response.”  The meeting was participated by the  Chief of LHSD, MSD, RLED Division of DOH 4A; the staff of the Center for Health Development 4A  and National Nutrition Council 4A; doctors from PDOHO; and representatives  from the Office of the Civil Defense 4A and   WHO.

Quick Post-Disaster Assessment. The RNC members, nutritionist-dietitians of DOH Center for Health Development Regional Office and the staff of NNC-CALABARZON proceeded immediately to San Mateo, Rizal and conducted Post-Disaster Assessment using the “Nutrition Initial Needs Assessment (NINA) Tool” to determine the severity of the problem and to  identify the   nutrition needs with focus on nutrition vulnerable groups (i.e. children 0-59 months, pregnant and lactating women, women of reproductive age, elderly and persons with disabilities located in the evacuation centers).

Visits to Evacuation Centers. In coordination with the Municipal Health Office and assistance of the Municipal Nutrition Action Office Nutrition Staff of San Mateo and Rodriguez, Rizal -- the RNC team was able to initially visit four (4) evacuation centers located at San Mateo, Rizal -- and one evacuation center located at Kasiglahan, Barangay San Jose, Rodriguez, Rizal. In Laguna, another team visited evacuation centers in Calamba City in coordination with the City Nutrition Office. Here is the list of evacuation centers in the region which were provided with nutrition services (with dates visited):

November 16, 2020 - Calamba City

• Pansol Covered Court (21 families; 151 individuals)
• Sucol Elementary School (77 families; 333 individuals)

November 17, 2020 - Calamba City

• Central 2 Elementary School, Brgy 2 (550 individuals)
• Sampiruhan Covered Court (240 families; 953 individuals)
• Lingga Elementary School (196 families; 804 individuals)
• Looc Integrated School Main and Extension (360 individuals)

November 16, 2020 -  Rodriguez, Rizal

• ERES, Brgy. Rosario (1,091 families; 5,455 individuals)
• Burgos Elementary School (388 families; 1940 individuals)
• Aransazu Covered Court (277 families; 1385 individuals)

November 17, 2020 -  San Mateo, Rizal

• Donya Pepeng Covered Court, Brgy. Banaba (155 families; 645 individuals)
• Maly Elementary School (240 families; 953 individuals)

November 18, 2020 - Rodriguez, Rizal

• Kasiglahan Senior High School (482 families; 1,773 individuals)
• San Jose Elementary School (300 families; 1,097 individuals)
• San Jose National High School (117 families; 585 individuals)

November 19, 2020 - San Mateo, Rizal

• Santa Ana Covered Court (216 families; 754 individuals)
• San Mateo Elementary School (SMES) (483 families; 1806 individuals)

November 20, 2020 -  Rodriguez, Rizal

• Kasiglahan Village Elementary School (KVES) (379 families; 1,756 individuals)

Nutrition services  in evacuation centers.  Nutrition services were provided in the evacuation centers which include: (1) nutrition assessment using “Mid Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Tape” was conducted for children 6 months to under 5 years old, and to  pregnant and lactating women; (2) micronutrient supplementation (vitamin A) for children 6-59 months;  (3) micronutrient supplementation (calcium carbonate and ferrous sulfate) for pregnant and lactating women; (4) management of acute malnutrition among children through provision of “Ready to Use Supplementary Feeding (RUSF)”; (5) distribution of IEC materials on “10 Kumainments,” Complementary Feeding and NutriKomiks (Series 1 “Breastfeeding I like!” and Series 5 on “Healthy Diet Tips Na Pambata”).  

To promote proper nutrition and dispel the distress in evacuation centers,  an exciting and thrilling  interactive “Mothers’ class”  was conducted   for  families of heavily  affected areas in  San Mateo and Rodriguez Rizal.   The class was  facilitated by DOH and NNC staff, where prizes  were given to pregnant and lactating moms who participated in the class, which  include  gift packs from Unilever Philippines,  and “Infant kits” containing powder, cologne and baby soap donated by Johnson&Johnson.  

The Regional Nutrition Cluster is committed to further intensify and reinforce disaster preparedness and response management of the cluster through formulating the DRRM-H-NIE plan as it is integral to the successful management of a disaster, capacitating each member with the necessary skills in nutrition in emergency by the conduct of trainings, close coordination and monitoring with the LGU to identify technical assistance needed, and joint efforts of the cluster members to augment manpower and resources for a wider coverage and ease in delivery of services during the rehabilitation of the affected community.

NNC Calabarzon, as RNC Secretariat, joins this advocacy to strengthen mobilization and functionality of the Nutrition Cluster in the Calabarzon Region.

By: Kristine Joy E. Fedilo