DSWD ensures safe spaces for pregnant, kids in evacuation sites

MANILA – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has ensured the setting up of safe spaces in the evacuation sites for vulnerable individuals affected by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck northern Luzon Wednesday.

“It is included in our (evacuation) camp management to provide safe spaces for pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and children. We have installed personnel to serve as security forces in our campsites to ensure that there will be no harassment or any form of abuse while they are taking temporary shelter,” DSWD Assistant Secretary Romel Lopez said at the Laging Handa press briefer on Thursday.

He said the evacuation sites are equipped with facilities, such as decent comfort rooms and wash areas, to secure the welfare of the evacuees.

Lopez accompanied DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo during his inspection in the province of Abra, where the epicenter of the quake was located, on Wednesday.

According to their initial inspection, at least five people died and 130 others were injured as of the latest update.

In Ilocos Region, some 11,000 individuals were considered as affected by the calamity while 800 families are taking shelter in evacuation camps.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region, around 36,000 individuals were affected by the quake. Of this figure, about 3,400 individuals are in the evacuation camps.

Meanwhile, the DSWD said there are over 2,000 family food packs that are ready for distribution while PHP6 million available funds are ready to be extended to the local government of Abra as financial aid.

Another 5,000 family food packs are expected to arrive in the province anytime, it said.

Tulfo also assured the victims that they will receive PHP5,000 to PHP10,000 cash assistance from the DSWD, aside from the family food packs and other relief items.