Int’l aid group concerned by malnutrition among children in Davao Oriental town
Young survivors of “Yolanda,” who are families of DepEd teachers and employees, at the gathering. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Malnutrition among children in some areas of Davao Oriental province remains a major concern one year after Typhoon Pablo devastated the area, according to an international humanitarian group.
That assessment was made by Plan International, a humanitarian group founded during the Spanish civil war that specializes in children’s needs. It currently works in the Philippines and in more than 40 other countries across the globe.
Cynthia Guerra, Plan International emergency response manager, told reporters here on Tuesday said the municipality of Baganga hosts almost half of the total number of malnourished children in Davao Oriental.
Guerra did provide the number of malnourished children in the province but said that in Baganga alone, Plan International has assisted and rehabilitated 5,000 children under five years of age since the typhoon swept through the area last year.
She said her group, in partnership with the World Food Program, continues to provide assistance to malnourished children in Davao Oriental.
Article continues after this advertisementWFP, Guerra said, has provided $2.5 million in the form of food assistance and cash for work to affected families.
Article continues after this advertisement“It is the biggest fund allocation so far given by WFP that benefited about 25,000 beneficiaries,” she said.
The cash-for-work and food-for-work programs will end this month.
Guerra said another source of concern was how to address the educational needs of children of the affected families, not only in Davao Oriental but in other places also devastated by the typhoon such as Compostela Valley.
She said in Barngay Kinablangan in Baganga, Plan International has put up a four-classroom building worth P4 million.
“It was turned over recently to officials of the said municipality,” she said.
Guerra said Plan International has assisted in the provision of livelihood to the affected families in partnership with the Department of Agriculture to ensure their sustainability when relief assistance ends by June next year.
