By Teng Lauban Datu
Cotabato City Bureau Chief .
Cotabato City — To meet women’s immediate hygiene needs, improve their mobility and protection, about 957 dignity kits will be distributed to lactating mothers and pregnant women who have been displaced by the recent armed conflict in Maguindanao.
Through the Ministries of Health and Social Services, the United Nations Population Fund—the UN’s reproductive health and rights agency—handed over dignity kits. It aims to secure the safety and promote the well-being of the displced women and the communities as a whole.
Iori Kato, UNFPA’s country representative, said the dignity kits are an integral part of UNFPA’s assistance to any humanitarian crisis as it is designed to meet the specific hygiene needs of women and girls of reproductive age.
It includes basic hygiene and protection items such as sanitary pads, underwear, soap, shampoo, food, water, flashlights, and whistles.
Official data of social services ministry show that more than 45,000 individuals have been displaced due to conflicts across the Bangsamoro autonomous region. The UNFPA estimates that there could be more than 1,400 pregnant women among the affected population and around 500 are expected to deliver in the next three months. Moreover, at least 900 women have given birth in the last six months.
“In times of crisis, it is more important to protect the dignity, safety, and reproductive health of pregnant and lactating women,” Kato said.
He noted that women do not stop getting pregnant or delivering babies just because an emergency hits. (with reports from bpi barmm)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
