DSWD prepares Zamboanga crisis evacuees for rehabilitation

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) shifted from food packs distribution to supplying provision and relief assistance in preparing thousands of evacuees for rehabilitation after the Zamboanga crisis. 

Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman said her department is now incorporating changes in the disaster operations especially in the provision of food packs for the more than 100,000 displaced civilians.

“The Department is now gradually shifting from providing cooked food to providing food supplies to the evacuees and letting them cook their own meals as to how they most prefer it,” Soliman said in a statement.

Joel Espejo, DSWD communication relation chief, said community kitchens were set up in strategic areas in the evacuation centers as part of the transition. 

Espejo said in Joaquin F. Enriquez Sports complex, which holds the biggest evacuation center with 71,265 evacuees, community kitchens were established away from the tents to prevent fire and ensure safety of the occupants.

The DSWD official said they continue to deliver cooked meals until all the needed community kitchens are in place.

The DSWD will also decrease the order and delivery of cooked foods from different local food providers.

Espejo said as part of the rehabilitation stage, the DSWD has been conducting family development sessions in the evacuation centers where displaced individuals gather and share their experiences and plans for their future.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority provided skills trainings to women such as bead-craft making, reflexology and massage training at the livelihood tent.

The products of bead-craft making such as bags, wallets, necklace, bracelets, key chains and many other designs will be bought by the DSWD.

Espejo said psycho-social interventions, day-care services and supplemental feeding also continued in the evacuation center as part of the rehabilitation program.