Child-friendly spaces set up in evacuation centers

MANILA, Philippines -  Since women and children are more vulnerable in times of calamities, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) ensured the provision of women- and child-friendly spaces (WFS) in evacuation centers for displaced residents from Marawi City and other areas in Mindanao.

A WFS is a designated tent in an evacuation center where women and children can feel physically and emotionally safe.

Activities held in the WFS are for psychosocial processing, including drawing and playing for children. WFS is also utilized for breastfeeding.

Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo explained that in times of calamities, “women are more vulnerable than their male counterparts (because) they face greater risks as they try to keep their families together.”

“It has also been documented by various humanitarian agencies that women tend to be less aware of how to protect themselves, and this is because they are often left out of the planning process when it comes to emergency preparedness. Busy addressing the immediate needs of their families, they tend to have less knowledge about disaster occurrences and how to prepare for them,” she added.

For this reason, Taguiwalo said women should be involved in disaster preparedness efforts and there is a need “to put together information and education campaigns wherein women and their safety are given focus and priority.”

In Iligan City, among the evacuation centers with WFS are National School of Fisheries in Buruun; Sta. Elena Gymnasium in Sta. Elena and Tibanga Gymnasium in Tibanga.

“During disasters, there have been evidence that suggest that the existence of WFS helps to reduce risks and prevent further harm to women during emergencies such as natural calamities. A WFS can provide women and girls with a safe entry point wherein they can access services and information,” Taguiwalo said.

She also reminded that women, children and communities should not be left out of the loop when disaster preparations are being undertaken. 

“In fact, the input and opinions of women and children should be considered regarding disaster preparedness actions. They should also be fully informed regarding the security risks in the community and the types of government and community-based support systems that are already established for women and girls in preparation for calamities,” she said.

“Our goal is to protect women during disasters because they protect not only themselves but their children and the rest of their families as well. The more women are empowered to help themselves during calamities, the more effective disaster preparedness efforts are,” she added.

 Peace corridor volunteers retrieve civilians

Meanwhile, peace corridor volunteers in conflict-stricken Marawi City have facilitated the retrieval of trapped civilians.

The peace corridor is a joint initiative of the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front resulting from the meeting of President Duterte and MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim on May 29.  – With Jose Rodel Clapano