SOCCSKSARGEN– In response to the series of strong earthquakes that had recently struck Cotabato Province, (Oct 16, 29 and 31,2019) the Regional Nutrition Cluster was activated to meet the nutritional needs of the individuals especially the most vulnerable groups, particularly children under five years of age, pregnant and lactating women, elderlies and those internally displaced people especially with debilitating diseases.
On 4th of November 2019, the Nutrition Cluster 12 convened for an emergency meeting held at NNC XII office, Koronadal city attended by seven (7) members for orientation and planning.
As per record, affected LGUs of the said province include Kidapawan City, municipalities of Arakan, Magpet, Mlang, Makilala and Tulunan which prompted the nutrition cluster for deployment as a response, knowing that malnutrition poses a health threat among vulnerable group’s survival in times of emergency and disaster.
The first batch of the team was deployed last November 5-8, 2019 composed by NPC Latonio and NNC XII’s nutrition officers together with the focal person of DILG, Deped and Save the Children. Meanwhile, second batch was fielded from November 12-15 with participating agencies from DOH, NNC XII and Philhealth, following another nutrition cluster meeting held on November 11.
During the first week of the response, the team visited evacuation areas of Kidapawan City and headed to municipality of Makilala on the ensuing days, considering how it was badly hit. However, active coordination to Mlang, Tulunan and Magpet was done thru the Municipal Nutrition Action Officers. Whereas, orientation for Barangay Nutrition Scholars/Barangay Health Workers along with the student volunteers, selected nutritionist-dietitians deployed in the province and other partners was done to help the team in rendering care and services.
The team conducted Nutrition Initial Needs Assessment and Mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and Weight/Height measurement on its first week. The team also provided nutrition services such as micronutrient powder, Ready to Use Supplemental Food (RUSF) for moderately acute malnourished, Ready to Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) for Severely Acute Malnourish children under five years old, RUSF plumpy mum for wasted/pregnant and lactating women.
Other delivered services where dry ration like Manna pack, ready-to-eat arozcaldo, smoked fish, Nutridel, Bigas-Monggo (BIMO) and vitamin A distribution.
On the otherhand, focus on IYCF Counselling and establishment of breastfeeding support groups were the priority interventions of the team on the second week.
To ensure delivery and provision of nutrition in emergency services for the affected population, the National Nutrition Cluster had joined the team on its third week of response.
With the situation of Cotabato Province still taking time to recover, the nutrition cluster will continue to take action in providing needed services to quake victims by establishment and promotion of coordination, monitoring and evaluation through effective and efficient information management to obtain accurate and real time data. (DPAurel/AMFlores/AML)
