Diaper donation drive for babies in evacuation centers continues

COTABATO CITY– About 80,000 cloth and disposable diapers have been distributed to lactating mothers as part of the continuing humanitarian assistance to affected residents in Marawi City.The recipients are nursing mothers currently in evacuation centers as well as those staying in their relatives’ houses. Various line agencies in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), and private donors from Metro Manila and Cotabato City donated the diapers.ARMM’s Cabinet Secretary Khal Mambuay-Campong said the drive started since the first day of the Marawi siege to help parents provide diapers for their babies. As part of the ARMM's Crisis Management Committee, and as a mother,itoyung naisip namin na ibigay dahil gusto namin matulungan yung mgaparentsna hirap maghanap ngdiapers for their babiesdahil walang mabilihan, Campong said.She reiterated how important the diapers are to keep the babies clean, dry and healthy. The fifth batch of diapers was distributed onJuly 10, in evacuation centers in Lanao del Sur.The diapers came from the different agencies of the ARMM, the Philippine Business for Social Progress,and private donors outside the ARMM. Kailangan talaga namin ngdiaperpara sababyko wala kaming pambili kaya naghihintay na lang kami na may pupunta dito sa amin at magbibigay ngdiaper, said Kuray Datu Ma-as, one of the thousands of displaced Marawi residents staying at the evacuation center in Saguriaran municipality.Dr. Kadil Sinolinding Jr., ARMM’s Health department secretary said diapers in difficult situations, such as the unexpected displacement of families, give parents a sigh of relief on easier management of their children’s wastes when the water supply is scarce and sanitary disposal poses a challenge. For the Health department, it is a better alternative that allows parents to focus on more important things while sanitary disposal is afforded for their children, Dr. Sinolinding added. Unsanitary practices, he said, could even lead to serious infections among babies.The ARMM government continues to send relief packs, hygiene kits and medical services to the affected residents of Marawi.