The Department  of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided, as of today,  more than P2.3 million worth of  relief supplies and other forms of assistance to the local government of Surigao del Sur for the evacuees of the on-going civil unrest in the province.

The relief supplies included 2,824 family food packs worth P1,181,335.68; non-food items such as plastic mats, blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen utensils, and hygiene kits amounting to P979,790;  and, nutri-cereals worth P122,304.

DSWD also extended medical and  burial assistance to some evacuees.

To ensure the welfare and safety of women and children-evacuees, the DSWD together with the provincial government set-up women and child- friendly spaces.

The women- friendly space can be used by pregnant and lactating mothers.

The child-friendly space, on the other hand, serves as a venue for children’s activities such as story-telling and expressed art therapy.

DSWD social workers  conducted psycho-social processing activities for the evacuees to help them cope with their on-going situation.

A Regional Child Protection Welfare Group was also formed  to render 24-hour monitoring in the evacuation center to ascertain the safety and security of children from the risks of potential abuses.

As of press time, a total of 614 families or 2,908 persons from the towns of Lianga, San Agustin, Marihatag, Tago, and San Miguel are still staying at the Surigao del Sur Sports Complex in Tandag City. ###