ILOILO – To help children recover from the trauma of displacement due to Tropical Storm Crising and intense monsoon flooding, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 has launched psychosocial support activities in child-friendly spaces across evacuation centers in Iloilo City.
The initiative, implemented through the agency’s Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), aims to address the immediate emotional and mental health needs of children affected by the calamities.
“Child-friendly spaces are crucial for protecting children’s well-being during emergencies, helping them process their experiences, and promoting their resilience,” DSWD-6 said in a statement.
Among the targeted areas was Baluarte Elementary School in Molo district, where 26 internally displaced children aged 3 to 12 participated in structured psychosocial activities, including drawing, coloring, storytelling, and child-focused disaster preparedness sessions. Another session was held in Barangay Calaparan, Villa Arevalo, also catering to young evacuees.
The sessions were designed to be both therapeutic and educational, integrating play and creative expression with practical discussions on safety before, during, and after disasters.
According to the DSWD, these child-friendly spaces not only offer emotional first aid but also help restore a sense of normalcy for children who have experienced stress, fear, and disruption due to natural disasters.
In addition to recreational activities, the program also provides access to psychosocial counseling and art therapy. These interventions are proven to reduce anxiety and trauma among young survivors and strengthen their emotional resilience in the aftermath of displacement.
The DSWD stressed that such programs form part of its broader emergency response strategy, highlighting the importance of addressing not just physical needs but also the psychological and developmental well-being of children in crisis situations./PN
