MSSD helps drought-affected in Lanao del Sur, fire-affected family in Cotabato City
COTABATO CITY (August 18, 2024) — The Ministry of Social Services and Development (MSSD) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) helped 350 families affected by the prolonged El Niño from March to May 2024, in Buadiposo Buntong, Lanao del Sur A, on August 7, through its Lanao del Sur A Provincial Field Office.
MSSD said each family received 25 kilograms of rice and food packs containing assorted canned goods and instant coffee.
“This intervention is part of the Emergency Relief Assistance (ERA) Program of MSSD, which aims to provide immediate relief aid and life-saving interventions to individuals and families affected by natural or human-induced disasters and calamities”, MSSD said on its social media post.
Meanwhile, 28 fire-affected families in Cotabato City received relief assistance from the Ministry, and Ministry of Trade, Investments, and Tourism (MTIT) in Brgy. Kalanganan 2 and Brgy. Rosary Heights 11 during a joint relief operation on August 14.
Under the MSSD’s ERA Program, MSSD said that they provided each family with food packs containing 25 kilos of rice and various grocery items, along with non-food items such as sleeping kits, cooking kits, dignity and protection kits, hygiene kits, and water kits, and MTIT distributed non-food items, including 135 gallons of mineral water and assorted clothing.
MSSD said that of the 28 affected households, 26 are in Brgy. Kalanganan 2, while 2 families are in Brgy. Rosary Heights 11. These families are currently staying with relatives.
To assess the condition of the fire victims, before the distribution, personnel from the MSSD Disaster Response and Management Division (DRMD) and para-social workers conducted profiling and assessments of the fire-affected families to determine their eligibility for Emergency Shelter Assistance (ESA) from the ministry.
“Upon assessment, 24 houses were found to be damaged in Brgy. Kalanganan 2, while 2 others were partially damaged in Brgy. Rosary Heights 11. MSSD will provide additional support to help these families rebuild their homes through the ESA program,” said Rasul Tino, MSSD Social Welfare Officer II. (Tu Alid Alfonso, BMN/BangsamoroToday)
