CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – An international organization continues to help children who are considered the most vulnerable victims in times of calamities especially those living in the depressed areas.
International organization Save the Children has reached out to assist survivors affected by the Tropical Storm Maring- enhanced southwest monsoon in the towns of Masantol and Macabebe on their road to recovery from the recent calamity.
“In terms of child protection, we have provided capacity-building on positive discipline to 39 community members in Masantol and distributed child-friendly spaces kits to 77 children in Macabebe. We also oriented two day-care workers about such kits,” Save the Children communications officer for emergencies Jerome Balinton said.
As for education, the organization provided capacity-building to 429 students and teachers on early warning training and testing in Macabebe. “As for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), we distributed solid waste management and WASH maintenance kits to various elementary schools. A hand-washing facility shall soon benefi t more than 200 students at Sua Elementary School in Masantol,” Balinton added.
Save the Children aims to reach at least 3,045 families which corresponds to 15,225 individuals, of whom 9,135 are children, from two provinces severely battered by the Maring-enhanced southwest monsoon, namely Pampanga and Cavite. At present, Save the Children has reached 18,760 individuals, including 13,612 children
or 123 percent of the target beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, Save the Children aims to improve typhoon-affected schools in the province to increase students’ access to education and WASH. On Tuesday (Feb. 4), Save the Children will turn-over four classrooms and WASH facilities to Palimpe Elementary School and Sua Elementary School in Masantol.
Save the Children has been working in the Philippines since 1981. In 2012, the international organization directly reached more than 560,000 boys and girls across the country. The organization provided both humanitarian and long-term support, working closely with partners across the country.
Save the Children addresses key issues of children in the country by implementing programs in child protection, education, health and nutrition, child rights governance and also supports in times of humanitarian crises.