Naga City - Super typhoon Odette (international name Rai) struck many regions in the country including Central Visayas on that fateful day on 16 December 2021. The City of Naga is one of the badly hit cities. Just three days after that devastating disaster, the Regional Nutrition Cluster visited the city to provide nutrition in emergency services to evacuees housed at three evacuation centers of the City.

The team composed of Mr. Retz Pol Pacalioga of UNICEF, Ms. Shaira Camille Labastida of DOH CV CHD/NNC 7, Ms. Christine Lopez, and Ms. Nasudi G. Soluta of the National Nutrition Council Region VII conducted rapid nutrition assessment, distribution of Vitamin A supplements to children 6 months old to five years old to further boost their immunity. Nutrition assessment was also made to pregnant mothers and breastfeeding counseling was given to lactating mothers in the evacuation sites.

Major concerns of the evacuees include food, drinking water, hygiene kits, and sanitation of the evacuation areas. No case of diarrhea was reported during the time of the visit, but the team raised this concern as well as its other findings to the camp manager and the local nutrition committee for further action.

The City of Naga is one of the growing cities of the province of Cebu, but the devastation might set back its progress. But the priority of the city right now is to bring back its people to their feet as they prepare to usher them back to their home safe and sound. // NO I Christine April M. Lopez, RND