The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Quick Response Team continues to assist the Canlaon City Local Government Unit in managing the evacuation camps.
Following the explosive eruption of Mt. Kanlaon on December 9, 2024, DSWD Region 7’s Quick Response Teams (QRTs) were activated and immediately deployed to Canlaon to offer technical assistance in Camp Coordination and Camp Management.
The QRT staff plays a crucial role in camp coordination and management. They address the needs of the displaced individuals in the camps and support personnel at the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where they organize all camp coordination activities.
While the QRT staff attends to internally displaced persons (IDPs), some of the field staff, nurses by profession, have also been designated to monitor the health status of their colleagues. These nurses work across various programs and services within the agency.
Regional Director Shalaine Marie S. Lucero emphasized the importance of having medical support for the staff, stating, “It is essential to look after our team because, while we provide care for those in crisis, our caregivers and responders need to be cared for as well.”
QRT Action Officer for Team 3, Ananisa F. Aviso, ensures that all team members have their blood pressure checked and are encouraged to report any health issues while on duty.
According to Aviso, everyone must have their vital signs monitored. QRT ensures a nurse is available for medical support. “We are here to assist others, and it is equally important that we take care of our team,” Aviso shared.
Leah Valencia, a registered nurse and City Link of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program assigned in Bais City is currently deployed in Canlaon City as medical support staff, routinely checking the vital signs of the Quick Response Team (QRT) personnel at the Emergency Operations Center and those assigned to the evacuation camps.
During her assessments, Ms. Valencia discovered that four members of the QRT had high blood pressure. She advised them to rest for 30 minutes before being rechecked. However, upon the recheck, their blood pressure remained elevated. Valencia promptly assisted them in seeking medical attention from a physician at Canlaon District Hospital (CDH).
“Dr. Hazel Franz D. Uy at Canlaon District Hospital thoroughly examined the concerned personnel and prescribed the appropriate antihypertensive medication to manage their condition,” Valencia shared.
Valencia stated that she will continue to monitor the staff’s condition and ensure they receive proper care and treatment to maintain their well-being while on QRT duty.
“I’m happy to serve,” she said, “but I have to admit, the thought of something happening to them under my watch is a constant concern, and that’s what motivates me to make sure they’re taken care of.”
By caring for the caregivers, the QRT supports personnel’s physical and mental health and ensures they can provide sufficient support to internally displaced persons (IDPs).
This approach to disaster response is holistic, recognizing that the well-being of responders is vital to the success of relief efforts. By prioritizing their staff’s health and well-being, the DSWD QRT demonstrates a commitment to the welfare of both their team members and the people they serve. ###
(40) Views