Puerto Princesa City - Health Emergencies Management Staff (HEMS) of Department of Health MIMAROPA with the assistance of National Nutrition Council MIMAROPA conducted the training on Nutrition in Emergencies for Palawan and Puerto Princesa City. The training was held at Sunlight Hotel in Puerto Prinsesa City last October 22-24, 2019. Forty five (45) District/City Nutrition Program Coordinators, Barangay Nutrition Scholars, Nutritionist-Dietitians from Hospitals and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officers attended the training.
On the first day, the training started with invocation followed by National Anthem and MiMaRoPa Hymn. Mr. Benedict Basaya, Nurse III of City Health Office, gave his welcome remarks for the attendees. Before the training started, the participants had their pre-test to determine how much they know about nutrition in emergencies. Discussions began with Mr. Arcinue by giving an overview of Nutrition in Emergencies to give the participants an idea about the training. He also conferred the Nutrition Cluster in local government units which intends to ensure the nutritional status of affected population especially the most vulnerable group will not worsen or deteriorate due to the impact of emergency and disaster through linking with other cluster/ sector groups and establishing capacities at all levels. Mr. Patriarca discussed different and simplest nutrition assessment that can be done during the emergency to monitor the nutritional status of the affected population. On the otherhand, Ms. Solidum shared her expertise on Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies. She focuses on the importance of exclusive breastfeeding even in emergencies.
Mr. Timbancaya from CDRRMO started the discussion on the second day of the training. He shares his knowledge on Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management System. He gave an overview on the nature of the different hazards and vulnerabilities in the country. His discussion was followed by Mr. Arcinue on Micronutrient Supplementation during emergencies and Supplementary Feeding Program by Mr. Patriarca.
Ms. Solidum gave insights on management of acute malnutrition. The second day of training ended with a workshop on how to use the Nutrition Initial Needs Assessment (NINA) form that can be use in assessing nutritional status during the emergency.
On last day of the training, the participants drafted their respective Nutrition in Emergencies Plan in Palawan Province, city down to the barangays of Puerto Prinsesa City. After the workshop, they had their post test to measure the gained knowledge of participants during the training.
Nutrition in Emergencies refers to the essential nutrition services that are components of emergency preparedness, response, and recovery phases aimed at preventing death and worsening of malnutrition in the affected population, particularly in the most nutritionally vulnerable groups: infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, and older persons. - AVETPatriarca
