Baby tents, child-friendly spaces spread out in Yolanda-hit areas

UNICEF and World Vision, two child-focused organizations, set up baby tents and child-friendly spaces specifically for new mothers and children on Wednesday in typhoon-hit Tacloban City, Northern Cebu, and Iloilo.

 

Thirty tents for pregnant women and nursing mothers, as well as the first child-friendly space in Tacloban post-Yolanda is one of dozens planned for the region by UNICEF, Save the Children, and the Tacloban City Department of Social Welfare and Development.

 

Meanwhile, World Vision has their own version of such tents in Northern Cebu and Iloilo. The organization has earmarked support for 3,000 mothers and their babies affected by the Category 5 typhoon.

 

"Survival means not only that we address children's health, education and psychological well-being, but that we make sure their safety is given top priority," said UNICEF Representative in the Philippines, Tomoo Hozumi in a press release.

 

Children aged three to 15 years old will be able to participate in structured activities appropriate for their ages, including play, sports, informal learning and discussion groups, to promote their recovery.

 

The tents, recreation kits and specialized supplies for early childhood development are to come from UNICEF. The government of Tacloban, for its part, will supply day-care workers—soon to be supplemented with social workers, animators and youth volunteers.

 

The next location will be at the airport, followed by the Tacloban Astrodome and a local elementary school, where debris clearance is underway to prepare the sites.

 

"These spaces—the first of many we plan to establish—provide a place for children to begin the process of recovering from the loss of loved ones and the total upheaval in their lives, and help reduce the risks of trafficking, exploitation and other harm," Hozumi added.

 

Meanwhile, pregnant women and nursing mothers are to receive advice and guidance on breast feeding and young child nutrition at the baby tents.

 

"Keeping mothers and baby healthy is another urgent priority in the wake of an emergency such as this," said Hozumi.

 

"Breastfeeding is the most effective way for infants to receive the nutrients they need, and breast milk also provides vital protection from disease and sickness."

 

"Mothers need support and encouragement to breastfeed when faced by so many stresses, and they need to be aware of the enormous risks of using powdered breast milk substitutes which in an emergency brings high risks of infection, malnutrition, illness and even death," he finished.

 

World Vision has dubbed their two kinds of tents “Child-Friendly Spaces” and “Women and Young Child Spaces.” The former is intended for at least 1,000 children while the latter is projected to accommodate 20 mothers and their children at a time.

 

The CFS are intended for addressing the needs of children survivors by providing them a safe place to learn and play to help them cope with distress.

 

“There are emerging reports that many children have been separated from their families, so aside from providing basic life-saving assistance, it is critical to ensure children are accounted for, and protected,” said World Vision National Director Josaias Dela Cruz in a press release.

 

Meanwhile, the WAYCS aim to provide interactive psychosocial sessions, practical discussions on breastfeeding during emergencies, and re-lactation peer support. Breastfeeding kits will also be readily available.

 

“WAYCS addresses one of the most vulnerable groups in disaster situations, like lactating women who nurse babies,” said Rev. Dr. Neki Soriano, World Vision Health and Nutrition Officer.

 

“The normal and ideal feeding practice of breastfeeding for infants and young children is disrupted during disasters. Even when evacuation centers are set up, the mother and her child would still be unsettled, so they need external support to continue breastfeeding,” he added.

 

The first tent went up in Tabogon town, Cebu, on Wednesday, November 20.  — Vida Cruz/ELR, GMA News