DSWD monitors 26,053 families in evacuation centers

MANILA, Philippines —  The Department of Social Welfare and Development continues to monitor people and families who have yet to fully recover from the effects of past disasters and remain in evacuation centers across the country, the DSWD said.

Maria Isabel Lanada, DSWD disaster response management bureau director, said 57,899 evacuation centers remain activated nationwide as of Monday.

Of the number, 845 evacuation centers remain operational and are accommodating 26,053 families or 91,982 people.

“The directive of our secretary, Rex Gatchalian, is to ensure that our approach is human-based. The first thing that we look for is that social protection is in place. There are vulnerable groups that we need to monitor and prioritize given the high risks to their health,” Lanada said in a statement.

Displaced families remain highest in Central Visayas where 479 evacuation centers provide shelter to 45,805 people, followed by Calabarzon with 182 evacuation centers catering to 19,998 people and Negros Island Region with 14,747 people.

Lanada said the DSWD field offices were ordered to ensure that families staying in evacuation centers receive sufficient support and psychosocial aid.

“The Angels in Red vests looks like Santa Claus. We have field offices conducting caroling and immersion while doing the monitoring and camp safety audit,” she added.

Lanada emphasized that the spirit of Christmas should be felt by everyone, especially those experiencing hardships due to displacement. 

She encouraged relatives, friends and communities to visit the evacuation centers and share the warmth of the holiday season with the evacuees.