March 31 – April 1, 2022. With the recent emergence of progressive levels of magmatic unrest activity in Taal volcano, a total of 95 children under-five (CUF) and 19 pregnant and lactating women (PLW) were visited, interviewed and provided nutrition services in their evacuation centers (ECs) in Agoncillo and Laurel Batangas – as an essential nutrition response of the Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNC) Calabarzon.
The response of the RNC (composed of NNC and DOH-CHD IV-A) generally aims to prevent the worsening of the nutrition status of the vulnerable groups in the region. The CUFs and PLWs served were among the displaced majority of the population nearby the declared danger zones in affected areas.
This time, the Local Nutrition Clusters (LNCs) in nearby provinces of Cavite and Batangas were more prepared. Earlier, the RNC facilitated the posting of Nutrition In Emergencies (NIEm) dashboard and the EO 51 or “Milk Code” posters in every EC visited. Furthermore, the LNCs walked through the validation of data gathered by the nutrition focal or Barangay Nutrition Scholar (BNS). They also identified and validated “Moderately Acute Malnourished (MAM),” “Severely Acute Malnourished (SAM)” children and “nutritionally at-risk” pregnant women through rapid nutrition assessment, which were accompanied by nutrition counseling, micronutrient supplementation and distribution of IEC materials.
The nutrition team also provided the following: nutrition IEC materials such as 402 pieces Pinggang Pinoy brochures (for pregnant and lactating, adult, and elderly); 364 pieces Nutri Komiks series 5 and 7; 30 pieces of EO 51 posters; and 13 pieces NIEM dashboard tarpaulin duly received by the Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs) and Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNSs) assigned in the ECs and nutrition offices.
The RNC was pleased to see the initial needs assessment already provided by the LNCs for the affected population prior to the team’s visit. This includes conduct of “Nutrition Initial Needs Assessment” (NINA); accomplishment of nutrition data board; and presence/establishment of breastfeeding stations in ECs.
The RNC realized that the efforts on the conduct of NIEm and Information Management (IM) trainings are now yielding results. This is evident in the necessary information gathering, assessment and services for emergencies/disasters which are now available in the municipalities visited.
NNC looks forward to the continuing advocacy of LGUs. It benefits many that they carry on with their local nutrition plan, specifically the NIEM plan; the production of NIEM dashboard tarpaulins; nutrition IEC materials; essential supplies, and commodities such as “Ready to Use Therapeutic Food” (RUTF), “Ready to Use Supplementary Food” (RUSF), Vitamin A capsules and “Multiple Micronutrient Powder” (MNP); establishment of functional breastfeeding support group; and breastfeeding spaces for ready to use in case of emergency and disaster.
By: Darrenz William M. Mateos
