January 07, 2022 | Province of Dinagat Islands - The National Nutrition Council Caraga Region, in close collaboration with UNICEF Philippines, conducts post-disaster nutrition initial needs assessment at the Province of Dinagat Islands on Day 22 after the Typhoon Odette ravaged the area.

NOII Raphael Ochavo, together with UNICEF Philippines Nutrition Officer Mr. Pete John Biscarra and Programme Assistant Ms. Leah Tacsan paid a courtesy visit to Dinagat Islands Health Cluster headed by the PHO II Dr. Jillian Francise Lee together with PHO I Dr. Juan Javier Garchitorena, and PNAO Ms. Joanna Jessica Yasay.

The deployment mission of the Regional Nutrition Cluster to the Province of Dinagat Islands is to gather data through Nutrition Initial Needs Assessment (NINA) tool to generate information regarding the nutrition situation of the province and to conduct rapid case finding of nutritionally at-risk children and pregnant women.

NINA tool is designed to provide immediate and initial assessment of the nutrition situation among the affected population particularly among the nutrition vulnerable groups, i.e. children 0-59 months, pregnant and lactating women, women of reproductive age, elderly, and persons woth disabilities after onset of emergency or disaster.

Also, part of the deployment mission is to scout for storage facilities and coordinate for the delivery of Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and Micronutrient Powder for the target beneficiaries in the province. The Regional Nutrition Cluster will continue to coordinate the implementation of nutrition and health response of the National Government Agencies and International Humanitarian Organizations in the affected areas of Typhoon Odette. #RPOchavo