- Gov’t to conduct community-level counseling for flood victims
THE OFFICE of the Civil Defense (OCD) XI, together with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will conduct psychological interventions for flood-affected residents to help them cope with the trauma.
During the Kapihan forum on Feb. 2, Ednar Dayanghirang, OCD XI regional director, said they have been pushing the initiative with the Regional Disaster Management Council following the massive destruction caused by the trough of the low-pressure area since Jan. 30.
“Not only the physical things—the infrastructure, mga balay and more important, as well, is the psychological trauma. Kana imong mga tinigom from ten or twenty years naa sa sulod sa imong balay and suddenly it’s gone, how difficult it is to address that, ” Dayanghirang said.
He said community-level counseling might help alleviate the disaster-related stress experienced by the people.
The OCD XI recorded 278,000 flood victims in 262 barangays in Davao Region. As of Feb 1, 44,720 residents were sheltered in 183 evacuation centers.
In terms of breakdown, Davao del Norte recorded a total of 34,000 affected residents, 23,000 in Davao Oriental, 12,000 in Davao de Oro, and about 2,000 residents in Davao City.
Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro remained in a state of calamity. He said the declaration was not yet terminated since the rains have not stopped, which could trigger more flooding and landslides.
He said as part of their early recovery phase, families with partially and totally damaged homes will receive financial assistance from the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development XI.
“Daghan pajud ang mahitabo labi na kay grabe na kabasa ang yuta. Kung mangita nimo ang national roads, konkreto nangaputol, kay ang tubig man gud inig muadto sa ilalom nga naa ang yuta and scouring jud siya, mao na kalit lang cracked na ang national road,” he said.
In line with this, the OCD XI said they will conduct a series of regional flooding dialogues with all stakeholders and concerned national agencies this month to address the matter.
