Disaster victims get psychosocial aid

WORKERS from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) not only provide essential food packs and relief items to disaster-affected communities but also address the emotional trauma resulting from loss and devastation.

“As responders, we are trained to provide food, shelter, and safety, but we must also be prepared to respond to invisible wounds — the psychological and emotional trauma people carry in the wake of disasters,” said Assistant Regional Director Glorefelia Uayan of the DSWD’s Field Office (FO) 10-Northern Mindanao.

Uayan noted that their special training stressed the significance of providing sensitive and timely psychosocial support to individuals and communities impacted by disasters.

“The inclusion of psychosocial first aid in disaster protocol is a recognition of the varied needs of the affected and the different traumatic effects of calamities,” Uayan said.

From July 1 to 3, a three-day training was conducted to enhance the F0-10 Quick Response Team’s (QRT) skills in providing psychosocial first aid (PFA) to disaster-affected individuals and families.

The PFA serves as an immediate support system, helping individuals and families manage the impact of traumatic experiences.

This initiative is part of DSWD’s ongoing endeavors to enhance its Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services, ensuring a compassionate and effective disaster response.

“Our president was very clear in his instructions to ensure that disaster-affected families and individuals be given all assistance that they need to recover,” Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said on Wednesday, July 9.

“This initiative helps us address the psychosocial impact of disasters on people,” she added.

The training activity was conducted by DSWD Northern Mindanao in celebration of Disaster Resilience Month this July.