The National Nutrition Council – 8 participated in the Department of Health - Eastern Visayas (DOH-EV) Yolanda Commemoration Day last November 7, 2014 at the DOH Training Center with the theme “Rebuilding Together for Better”.
DOH-EV commemorated the Yolanda anniversary to give honor to all victims of the super typhoon and to give recognition to the International and Local Organizations, DOH from other regions, DOH-EV employees and Local Government Units who showed their infinite support through their immediate interventions during the emergency phase, and their efforts in working together towards recovery. Guests were from the DOH staff from the all the regional and provincial level and the City/Provincial Health Officers.
The event started with the Inauguration of the newly renovated DOH-EV Training Center, while DOH Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna Jr. and Assistant Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco graced the event as they welcome the guests and participants.
One of the special guests was Dr. Julie Lyn Hall, the WHO Country Representative in the Philippines who gave an inspiring message, sharing how delighted she was to see the progress of the region from its devastated state, when she first came days after Yolanda, to how it already looks like today. It’s been a year since Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name Haiyan) hit the Philippines, certainly in Guiuan, Leyte, and Tacloban City of Eastern Visayas last November 8, 2013, and survivors were left houseless, injured and were in extreme hunger. This emergency called the attention of the government and the local and international organizations who helped the region to rebuild again. Since Haiyan was monitored by the whole world, it became the center of interest, and as a result, a book containing a documentary during the super typhoon was also launched during the commemoration. The creation of the documentary was headed by WHO representative Dr. Banjamin Laine who shared some ideas on the contents of the book.
Also, a gallery walk was set up at the venue as one of the event’s highlights. The photos displayed the different DOH Regional offices’, some government agencies and International NGOs’ response and accomplishments after Yolanda. The National Nutrition Council-8 put up a photo collage highlighting various NNC related activities such as Rapid Nutrition Assessment, Regional and Provincial Nutrition Summits, Coordinative meetings such as Regional Nutrition Cluster Meetings, Quad-cluster meetings, Social Service Cluster meetings and OPAR meetings, Nutrition Month celebration, Capability Building Activities on Nutrition and its participation in the Kalusugang Pangkalahatan (KP) Roadshow.
The event was formally closed by Assistant Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial, expressing her gratitude to all the DOH staff, International and local NGOs, and everyone who shared their efforts, even in the most simple way, in working together for the better (Jhekie G. Cinco)
