10 February 2014, Iloilo City-The National Nutrition Council (NNC) Region VI conducts a briefing on SMART (Standardized Monitoring and Assessment of Relief and Transitions) Survey for all Provincial Nutrition Action Officers and District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators last February 10, 2014 at Sarabia Manor Hotel, Iloilo City.

The briefing was intended to inform key nutrition personalities such as (PNAOs and DNPCs) who can assist the survey team in informing local officials and Municipal Nutrition Action Officers (MNAOs), and tapping their support for the coming survey in the region. The Action Against Hunger (ACF) International through its Spain and Philippine Country Offices, in close coordination with the National Nutrition Council, provided technical and financial support for the conduct of the survey. ACF, an international NGO, is a member of the national nutrition cluster which coordinates humanitarian response to typhoon Yolanda victims.

During the briefing, Dr. Jocelyn Juguan, currently SMART National Coordinator, emphasized the rationale for the survey. She shared that pre-existing malnutrition rates can be worsened by the displacement (decreased food intake, illnesses, dirty water and poor sanitation) brought about by the disaster.

The SMART survey will be conducted in Yolanda-affected areas particularly the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, Capiz and Roxas City. Within these provinces, 27 randomly selected municipalities and within these municipalities, 28 randomly selected barangays will be surveyed. Data collection in Region VI will start on Feb. 18 and will end on March 9, 2014.