The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has mobilized its psychological first aid (PFA) team to provide immediate support to survivors of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28.
Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) said the team arrived in Yangon on Friday (April 11) to start their humanitarian mission.
“The DSWD PFA team arrived in Yangon yesterday, April 11. The DSWD, in coordination with other government agencies, is committed to supporting our kababayans and other survivors affected by this tragic disaster,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao, the agency’s spokesperson, said on Saturday (April 12).
The DSWD 8-member team, composed of a psychologist and social workers, is currently undergoing orientation and planning sessions to ensure smooth coordination and to guarantee the effective delivery of services once fully deployed.
The DRMG official said the PFA team includes Social Welfare Officers Imee Rose Castillo, Rizaline Sta. Ines, Nolibelyn Macabagdal, Joseph Salavarria, Clenson Tibangay, Hidie Mendoza, and Christina Tatoy, and a psychologist, Karen Arvie Gabriel.
The PFA personnel are part of the broader Philippine Rapid Response Deployment Team (RRDT), composed of representatives from the DSWD, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Department of Health (DOH).
Upon arrival in Myanmar, members of the RRDT, along with Philippine Embassy officials, accompanied the bereaved families in receiving the ashes of the two Filipino nationals who perished during the earthquake.
In the Philippines, the DSWD has initiated counseling sessions for the families of the affected Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), many of whom were teachers, stationed in Myanmar.
The DSWD also extended Php10,000 in cash assistance to each family of the affected OFWs.
“We are also conducting assessments to determine the need for further medical assistance for family members who depended on the deceased OFWs for their needs,” Asst. Secretary Dumlao said.
The DSWD’s continuing efforts highlight the Philippine government’s commitment to ensuring that both affected Filipinos abroad and their families at home receive comprehensive support in times of crisis. (YADP)