Butuan City – A total of P2,365,998.68 was already augmented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Caraga as relief assistance to the evacuees in Surigao del Sur Sports Complex, Tandag City.
The mentioned amount is comprised of 2,824 family food packs worth P1,181,335.68, non-food items amounting to P979,790.00, nutri-cereals worth P122,304.00, medical assistance worth P3,569.00, burial assistance worth P20,000.00, and materials,snacks for the psycho-social processing (PSP) activities worth P59,000.00.
Non-food items distributed include plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, toothbrushes, slippers, toothpastes, laundry soaps, bath soaps, panties, briefs, brassieres, plates, glasses, soup bowls, mugs, kettles, forks, and spoons
Regional Director Minda B. Brigoli said that the Department’s social workers have also conducted PSP to 226 individuals.
“Through this activity, the evacuees were able to freely communicate to the social workers their experiences and needs after departing from their homes due to threats,” she added.
Aside from the PSP, friendly spaces for women and children were also put up, initiated by DSWD with the assistance of the PLGU and other agencies.
Some 756 children were able to utilize the child-friendly space. The social workers of DSWD conducted by batch activities such as expressed art therapy and story-telling with the children in the said space.
One hundred thirty-six (136) women, most of whom are pregnant, lactating, and PWDs, have used the women-friendly space.
The Regional Child Protection Welfare Group members have also conducted monitoring on September 18, 2015 in the evacuation camp to ascertain the safety and security of children from risks of potential abuses.
As of reporting time, a total of 614 families/2,908 individuals are still inside the evacuation centers in Surigao del Sur. ###(Social Marketing Unit/DSWD Field Office Caraga)