A group of mothers advocating for breastfeeding and baby-wearing has set-up a mother-baby friendly space in Buru-un evacuation center to respond to the needs of mothers and infants affected by the on-going crisis in Marawi City.
Nadine Casino, founder of Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM), said the space aims to provide an enabling environment for displaced mothers to nurture their infants and children.
Dubbed Women with Infant and Children (WIC) Care Space, the common area is designed to be a safe haven for mothers with infants and a space where mothers can help each other and rebuild strength.
The WIC also has a community kitchen where the mothers can cook nutritious foods.
Instead of mothers falling in line for food, the supplies are brought to them at the WIC saving them time for breastfeeding and child care.
NMN volunteers also hold counseling at the WIC to educate mothers on the advantages of breastfeeding and the ideal infant and young child feeding practices.
The NMN partnered with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Humanitarian and Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART), Iligan Breastfriend Club, and Moropreneur Incorporated in the setting-up of WIC.
Aside from the WIC, MNM also distributed care packs wrapped in a malong. A malong care pack contains diapers, baby wipes and infant dress, as well as sanitary items like alcohol, face towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and sanitary pads.
Casino said they used malong because it can serve many uses like a baby-carrier.
Out of the 300 malong care packs prepared by MNM, 78 were distributed in Buru-un evacuation center.
Tarhata Mustari with her two-weeks old baby, is one of the recipients, expressed appreciation for the support she received. “Maraming salamat sa lahat ng tulong at sana huwag po kayong magsawa sa pagtulong at pagsuporta sa amin,” she said.
Tarhata said she also learned the importance of breastmilk and how she can protect her baby from diseases.
NMN plans to establish a WIC in all evacuation centers. (APB/PIA-10)
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