A social worker from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII reads a story to children evacuees affected by the landslide in Naga City, Cebu.
A social worker from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VII reads a story to children evacuees affected by the landslide in Naga City, Cebu.

In order to ease the stress and possible trauma experienced by child evacuees in the recent landslide in Naga City, Cebu, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) established child-friendly spaces in all evacuation centers in the affected area.

“Because of the vulnerability of children in disaster situations, the DSWD prioritizes their safety and protection at all times,” said DSWD Secretary Virginia N. Orogo.

“We ensure that all evacuation centers are fully capable of holding child-friendly spaces which provide services such as play and art therapy, psychosocial counseling, supplementary feeding, games, and educational activities to relieve the stress of children due to displacement because of disasters,” she added.

The establishment of the child and women-friendly spaces in evacuation centers is in accordance to the Republic Act No. 10821 or the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act which ensures that children and pregnant and lactating mothers are ensured of protection before, during, and after the occurrence of a calamity or disaster.

As of present time, the DSWD, through its Field Office (FO) VII has already extended relief support and financial assistance worth P2,293,919.50 affected families staying in five evacuation centers. ###