DSWD sends psychological first aid team to quake-hit Myanmar

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has deployed a psychological first aid (PFA) team to Myanmar, which was hit by a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28.

The agency said the eight-member team arrived in Yangon on Friday, April 11, as part of the Philippine government’s coordinated humanitarian response.

The mission, spearheaded by the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), aims to assist not only Filipinos affected by the disaster but also other survivors in need.

“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,” said Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao, spokesperson for the DSWD, in a statement issued on Saturday, April 12.

The team is composed of psychologist Karen Arvie Gabriel and social welfare officers Imee Rose Castillo, Rizaline Sta. Ines, Nolibelyn Macabagdal, Joseph Salavarria, Clenson Tibangay, Hidie Mendoza, and Christina Tatoy.

Upon arrival, RRDT members joined Philippine Embassy officials in accompanying bereaved families during the solemn reception of the ashes of two Filipino teachers who perished during the earthquake.

Back home, the DSWD has begun providing psychosocial support and counseling sessions to the families of the affected overseas Filipino workers, most of whom were employed as educators in Myanmar. The agency has also extended P10,000 in cash assistance to each affected family.

“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,” Dumlao said. — VBL, GMA Integrated News