PALO, LEYTE — The Regional Nutrition Cluster (RNCl) 8 convened virtually to revisit the 2020 Nutrition Cluster Plan and map out for the 2021 Nutrition in Emergencies (NiEm) Plan on December 28-29, 2020 via Google Meet.

The two-day activity was attended by its members from the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). The partner agencies identified available resources to include trainings and commodities ready during emergencies. Likewise, the group worked on to plan out for 2021 focusing on nutrition activities under the thematic areas to include disaster prevention and mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery and rehabilitation.

Department of Health (DOH) Order No. 2017-0007, entitled “Guidelines in the Provision of the Essential Health Emergency Packages in Emergencies and Disasters” emphasizes the four Health Sub Cluster Essential Service Packages (ESP) which aimed to provide a focused approached for all affected individuals especially the vulnerable and marginalized populations during emergencies and disasters which Nutrition Cluster is part of the four clusters.

The NIEM Plan will form part of the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Plan for Health Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010 defines the National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) and mandated DOH as member of the Council to manage the health consequences of disasters through the provision of health services. #NASLabordo