DSWD provides psychosocial support to conflict-affected children in Agusan del Norte town
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Field Office in Caraga, deployed 17 social and development workers to assist children in dealing with the emotional aftermath of the recent armed conflict incident along the border of Tubay town and Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte.
On Feb. 29, the DSWD team led by Retained Community-Based Services head Michael Andohuyan provided Psychological First Aid (PFA) sessions to 332 students at Doña Telesfora Elementary School.
“The psychosocial first aiders brought the commitment of the DSWD to addressing the needs of the students who are recovering from the traumatic experience due to the conflict,” DSWD Assistant Secretary for Strategic Communications and spokesperson Romel Lopez said on Monday, March 4, after an armed conflict broke out near the elementary school between members of the New People’s Army and the Philippine Army on Feb. 23.
He said the provision of psychosocial aid was part of the assistance of the DSWD to the local government unit, as requested by the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office of Tubay.
“Based on the assessment of the social workers and development workers who conducted the psychosocial first aid, there are no significant signs of extreme stress among the children,” Lopez pointed out.
“The results of the assessment affirm the readiness of these students to resume their studies without impediment,” he added.