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Batangas gov't appeals for breast milk, feeding bottles for babies in evacuation centers


The Batangas government is encouraging donations of breast milk and feeding bottles for the infants staying in evacuation centers due to the eruption of Taal Volcano, its public information office said Wednesday.

“Kasalukuyan po tayong nangangailangan ng mga breast milk, breast milk pouches, at feeding bottles para sa mga breastfed babies na nasa mga evacuation centers ngayon,” Batangas PIO said in a Facebook post.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said that breastfeeding is the "best and safest" for babies given their situation in the evacuation centers.

"Breastfeeding is the best and safest nutrition for babies especially during calamities," Domingo told GMA News Online in a text message.

“Hindi advisable ang formula milk in any situation. Lalo na ‘pag calamity kasi hindi sure ang cleanliness ng water supply at mahirap mag-sterilize ng bottles,” he added.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) IV-A told GMA News Online it is a challenge to track the number of infants in evacuation centers because families were constantly moving.

On a Wednesday report, Save The Children said that there were lack of proper information on the evacuees in relation to children, persons with disabilities, pregnant.

It also pointed out the absence of child-friendly space set up in these evacuation centers.

According to Save the Children, around 21,000 children living within the 14-kilometer danger zone have been evacuated. 

Alert Level 4 remains over Taal Volcano after a phreatic eruption occurred at the crater on Sunday. The province of Batangas was placed under a state of calamity on Monday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Wednesday said a total of 10,455 families or 44,065 individuals in Batangas and Cavite have been affected by Taal Volcano's activity.

Of that number, 9,508 families or 40,126 people are currently staying in 189 evacuation centers. —KBK, GMA News

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