The Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Field Office 6-Western Visayas conducted crash courses on Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Protection to ensure effective camp management in areas affected by the Mt. Kanlaon unrest.
“In essence, effective CCCM and IDP protection are vital components that are intertwined to reduce the vulnerabilities and ensure dignified response for the affected population. In CCCM, we facilitate the effective and sufficient distribution of essential assistance, while IDP protection safeguards the vulnerable segments of the displaced population from abuses, violence, and exploitation while inside evacuation centers,” Asst. Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) Irene Dumlao, also the DSWD’s spokesperson, explained.
On December 16, a total of 14 child development workers (CDWs) and 10 personnel of the local government unit (LGU) of La Castellana, Negros Occidental were trained by the Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD) personnel from the DSWD FO-6.
A similar crash course on CCCM and IDP protection was also conducted by the DSWD Western Visayas on December 17 in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental. This was attended by CDWs, public school teachers,
barangay officials, and health workers.
“We hope that through the continuous training of LGU personnel, they will be equipped with the necessary knowledge on disaster protocols and procedures in the event that the alert level on Kanlaon reaches
Alert Level 4 or 5,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao pointed out.
Meanwhile, as of the 6:00 am report of the Disaster Response Operations Management, Information and Communication (DROMIC), the DSWD has already provided humanitarian assistance worth Php33,814,607 to the LGUs of Bago City, La Carlota City, La Castellana, Murcia, and Pontevedra in Negros Occidental; and Canlaon City in Negros Oriental.
“The DSWD will remain in close coordination with the concerned localities to provide assistance until the displaced citizens are able to return to their normal lives,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
