Play, art therapy for children affected by Cebu landslide

CEBU CITY — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has set up child friendly spaces at evacuation centers in areas in Naga, Cebu, struck by landslides.

The centers provide psychosocial sessions, play and art therapy for children ages one to 17 years old, according to DSWD regional information officer Leah Quintana.

Quintana told Manila Bulletin there are 1,965 children at the six evacuation centers in Naga.

The DSWD started the psychosocial therapy with support from the Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc (PASWI)-Cebu chapter, Mary Help of Christian School in Minglanilla, Philippine Red Cross and the Department of Health (DOH) here, Quintana said.

Children are usually the most vulnerable sector in a disaster, she said

DSWD ensures that all evacuation centers have child-friendly spaces for play and art therapy, psychosocial counseling, supplementary feeding, games, and educational activities.

Quintana said the establishment of the child and women-friendly spaces in evacuation centers is in accordance with the Children’s Emergency Relief and Protection Act (Republic Act No. 10821).

The law provides that children and pregnant and lactating mothers must be protected before, during, and after the occurrence of a calamity or disaster, Quintana said.

DSWD, through its Field Office (FO), has already provided relief support and financial assistance worth P2,293,919.50 to families in six evacuation centers in Naga.