Cebu Province – The Nutrition Cluster attended to displaced and food-deprived families in the Northern Municipalities of Cebu Province last 08 November 2013 following the devastation brought about by Typhoon Yolanda.The Nutrition Cluster monitored and addressed the nutritional needs of individuals especially among infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, older persons, people with disabilities, and people living with debilitating conditions.
On 11 November 2013, NNC 7 called for a Nutrition Cluster Meeting to orient/reorient members on Nutrition in Emergencies and Disasters. DOH DPO 2007-2492-A mandated the organization of the cluster system within the Department of Health. The Nutrition Cluster is the lead in nutrition management during emergencies and disasters. It is led by DOH chaired by the National Nutrition Council with UNICEF as Co-Chair.
The 13 individuals from the Visayas Health, FeBaNuSA 7 officers, DNPCs of Cebu Province, professional organizations and NGOs, were oriented on background, importance, minimum service package, actions to be taken by the National, Regional and LGU levels; contribution of the Nutrition Cluster to the other clusters; identification of 15 affected municipalities and 21 LGUs with high number of displaced families. Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) Assessment was also taught to the participants so that they could determine those who need to be prioritized. It was agreed that Nutrition Cluster Team to prioritizethe municipalities ofMadridejos, Bantayan, Sta. Fe, DaanBantayan, Medellin, Tabogon, train MNCPs and BNS on MUAC measurement and all reports from the field shall be submitted to Provincial Nutritionist, Ms.DhianneLaborte who will then submit the same to Regional HEMS and HEMS Central Office with cc to NNC 7 Regional Office.
Among those who joined the Nutrition Cluster Field Visits were NO II Dave Dave F. Bargamento along with FeBaNuSa 7 Officers; Ms. Evangeline Villarata, Secretary; Ms. Lucia Arellano, Treasurer; Ms. Aura Illaga, Auditor and Ms. Raquel Dequillo, member completed the team. They visited the areas the municipalities of Madridejos, Bantayan on November 14 and the municipality of Sta. Fe on November 15.
NO I Nasudi G. Soluta continued with the Nutrition Cluster Field Visits. Along with FeBaNuSa 7 Treasurer, Ms. Lucia G. Arellano, the two-man team visited the city of Bogo on November 19, the municipalities of San Remegio on November 20, San Franciso (Camotes) on November 21 and the Tudela, Poro and Pilar on November 22. Additionally, Cebu Province District Nutrition Program Coordinator Ms.Dhaiana S. Laborte along with NO I NarcisoSevilla Jr. visited municipalities of Tabogon and Tabuelan last 20 to 21 November. Meanwhile, NO III Susan Y. Orpilla and DOH-CHD 7 ND IV Ms. Juliet G. Tutor visited the 10 evacuation centers in the cities of Cebu, Lapu-lapu and Mandaue housing internally displaced families from Eastern Visayas that week.
Activities done during these visits included MUAC measurement, IYCF assessment and counselling, Vitamin A distribution and organization of municipal/barangay teams that can be tapped in the local level. The team did courtesy call to the MNAOs of the respective municipalities and briefly oriented them about Nutrition in Emergencies. The MUAC-trained nutrition / health personnel would then re-echo this to other nutrition and health workers to cover more areas.
With the Nutrition Cluster in full force, it is expected that intervention is underway for children with Severe and Moderate Acute Malnutrition. //DFB
