Borbon Cebu – The National Nutrition Council Region VII (NNC 7) and the Department of Health Central Visayas – Center for Health Development (DOH CV CHD) trained the members of Borbon Municipal Nutrition Cluster (MNCluster) on nutrition in emergencies. The training was held from 31 January to 3 February 2023 at the DRRM-H OPCEN, rural health office of the municipality upon the request of MNAO Dr. Corazon B. Dotillos who wished to make their MNCluster 100% ready in case of calamities and disasters. 30 participated in the 4-day extensive training.

The MNCluster conducted said capacity development activity to ensure prompt and effective response during disasters and emergencies most especially to the most vulnerable groups including infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, older persons, and people with disabilities. To be successful in the operationalization of the Nutrition Cluster, it also requires the correct and reliable most recent data about areas and the people affected and essential capacities to respond to nutrition emergencies generated through an efficient information management system.

Such information is imperative in formulating a Nutrition in Emergencies Plan and in providing appropriate and timely nutrition interventions. The minimum nutrition services during emergencies or disasters include the provision of IYCF-in-Emergencies, management of acute malnutrition, supplementing micronutrients in emergencies, and establishing dietary supplementation activities targeted to vulnerable groups. The training team was composed of DOH CV CHD personnel from the Regional Health and Emergency Services, Family Health Support Division, and NNC 7.

At the end of the training, members of the MNCluster were able to formulate their DRRM-H-NIE Plan and identified Information Management Officer for NiE in Borbon, Cebu. // DMO II Gabe Sucalit, RND.