A joint outreach was conducted in Barangays Simulao and Caatihan, two hard-to-reach indigenous communities in Boston, Davao Oriental by UNFPA, UNHCR, WHO, Family Planning Organization of the Philippines, Merlin, and Child Alert. Reproductive health services served a total of 199 pregnant and lactating women who received pre/post-natal services and health information sessions in Simulao. At least 265 women of reproductive age in Caatihan received hygiene kits.
Information sessions on gender-based violence were also conducted during the missions. A total of 88 women of reproductive age from Simulao and 265 from Caatihan attended the sessions.
NEEDS
Reproductive Health: Technical support to local health officials on the implementation of Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health, including Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH), in emergency is should continue. Health service providers to support RH medical missions are still needed, particularly for pre/post-natal care. Supply of dignity kits for pregnant and lactating women should also continue.
Gender-Based Violence: Unavailability of specific data on vulnerable groups – female headed households, pregnant and lactating women, women with disabilities, elderly women is inhibiting targeted interventions. There is a need for orientation to GBV response service providers, camp managers and Barangay officials on operationalizing existing referral mechanisms in emergency settings with adherence to survivor-centered approach. Cash and food for work programmes need to ensure equitable and fair access to vulnerable population (eg. female headed household, women with disabilities, pregnant and lactating women) by introducing types of jobs that would facilitate the participation of vulnerable women as well as ensuring a supportive and enabling environment. Affected women and girls are in continuous need of hygiene kits. There is a need for trained psychosocial counselors for targeted psychosocial interventions, especially for adolescent girls and women in affected communities. Given that majority of the affected population are scattered in communities, there is a need for community organization of women and girls for necessary channeling of GBV prevention and response services.
RESPONSE
Reproductive Health: Two RH medical missions were conducted in Barangay Casoon in Monkayo and Barangay Panag in New Bataan, Compostela Valley on January 30 and 31, serving 223 pregnant and lactating women (111 in Casoon and 112 in Panag) with pre/post-natal check-up, family planning counseling and services, and distribution of hygiene kits.
In Boston, Davao Oriental, UNFPA and partners conducted RH medical mission in Barangay Simulao and distributed hygiene kits in Barangay Caatihan. A total of 199 pregnant and lactating women received pre/post-natal services and attended health information sessions in Simulao, while 265 women of reproductive age in Caatihan received hygiene kits. The missions were conducted in partnership with FPOP, Merlin, Child Alert, UNHCR, and WHO. The two barangays are remote, hard-to-reach places inhabited by indigenous people.
Gender-Based Violence: The first orientation for 65 women facilitators for Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) was conducted on January 28 in Barangay Campawan, Baganga, Davao Oriental in partnership with Plan International. Key issues raised by women community leaders were livelihood opportunities, alternative education and employment for out of school youth, early marriages, GBV and family planning.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) established a women and children’s help desk in Barangays Poblacion and Manorigao in Caraga, Davao Oriental. The PNP also conducted advocacy campaign on Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Human Trafficking Law, in Sitio Papag, Barangay Poblacion, with 26 participants attending.
UNHCR, UNICEF and UNFPA conducted a series of orientation sessions on protection and GBV issues and concerns in emergencies and the GBV case referral pathway from January 30 to February 2. The sessions were attended by 16 PNP personnel (with two females) from Boston, 28 staff (three females) from Cateel, and 32 PNP staff (four females) from Baganga as well as 25 soldiers (one female) from the Armed Forces of the Philippines 67th Infantry Battalion. Roles and responsibilities of law enforcers in GBV prevention and response were discussed.
GBV information sessions were conducted during the RH medical and distribution missions in Barangays Simulao and Caatihan in Boston, Davao Oriental. A total of 88 women of reproductive age from Simulao and 265 from Caatihan attended the sessions. Information sessions were also conducted in Barangay Casoon in Monkayo and Barangay Panag in New Bataan, Compostela Valley for 223 pregnant and lactating women.
On February 1, a joint GBV and child protection case conference was conducted by service providers from the social welfare office, health office, police and NGOs in Cateel. Seven GBV cases were referred to the sub clusters.
The provincial Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) sub-cluster was activated January 31 in Cateel. Guidelines on the conduct of MHPSS and reporting mechanism were discussed. Trainings of trainors psychosocial processing are also being conducted by the Department of Health and UNICEF. A total of 177 baller bands with anti-GBV message were distributed to PNP and AFP participants during the protection/CP/GBV orientation. Another 55 ballers were given to the medical teams during the RH Working Group meetings.
Regional GBV and CP sub cluster meeting was held on January 28 in Davao. Discussions included the development of WFS Guidelines, municipal level referral pathways, clarification on division of labour among agencies working on MHPSS and standard guidelines for MHPSS.
At the WFS in New Bataan, 40 female survivors were provided psychosocial services; 20 participated in the orientation on violence against women and children (VAWC) laws, and 23 in self enhancement skills coaching sessions, and 24 in an orientation on GBV referral mechanism.
Recommendations on ensuring equitable access of vulnerable population to cash for work programmes have been incorporated in the DSWD Guidelines for Cash for Work programmes.
GAPS AND CONSTRAINTS
Reproductive Health: The limited number of health staff hampers also limits provision to of RH services to those affected by the typhoon. Data on affected health facilities, which are needed to plan for RH outreach missions, are incomplete. Difficulty of access to some areas is a major constraint in reaching more affected population.
Gender-Based Violence: Awareness about women’s rights and causes and consequences of GBV are low among affected women and girls. There is also lack of agreed standards and coordination among psychosocial service providers in the affected areas. Functional shelter or crisis center for women at the municipal level should be established.
(The situation report can be downloaded from the link below)
