ChildFund Philippines has been officially recognized by the Department of Education (DepEd) as a valued partner in the development sector. The government agency highlighted the NGO’s active involvement in the Education Cluster’s emergency response efforts, particularly in communities severely impacted by Super Typhoon Karding in September 2022 and Typhoon Paeng in November 2022, in its Disaster Risk Reduction Management Services (DRRMS) Terminal Report released in February 2023.
In response to these calamities, ChildFund Philippines collaborated with REINA Federation of Parents Association and Ha Uman Association, Inc. to provide vital assistance to affected areas in Quezon province and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Their efforts included the distribution of learner and teacher kits, delivering crucial Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to learners, teachers, and parents, as well as conducting MHPSS Training of Trainers (ToT) for frontliners, educators, and community leaders.
The MHPSS program encompasses a comprehensive range of initiatives aimed at nurturing emotional well-being and helping individuals cope with the stress and anxiety brought on by disasters. This includes providing compassionate counseling services, equipping people with effective coping strategies, promoting self-care practices such as exercise and relaxation techniques, establishing safe and supportive community groups where individuals can share their experiences and offer support, and raising awareness about mental health to combat stigma and encourage seeking help.
Mark Jade Alpajora, Teacher-in-Charge at Anibawan Elementary School in one of the most devastated barangays in Burdeos, shared the positive impact of the seminars organized by ChildFund Philippines. Through these sessions, students were able to find the strength to continue their education despite the challenges they faced. Educators like Alpajora feel confident that they can provide support and guidance to their students in case of future disasters.
Erwin Galido, DRM Program Specialist at ChildFund Philippines, highlighted the organization’s primary focus on empowering key members of local government agencies and partner schools with the necessary skills to offer MHPSS sessions. By doing so, they aim to help children and other individuals in affected areas overcome the emotional and mental stress they experience during disasters and emerge with a more positive outlook despite the adversity they face.