The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) called on the public to be generous in donating breastmilk and baby essentials for the families affected by the clash in Marawi.
Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo explained that Marawi mothers who were breastfeeding their children now have difficulties in producing breastmilk because stress and trauma had affected their breastmilk supply, ABS-CBN News reports.
Aside from breastmilk, DSWD also encouraged the public to donate, diapers, wet wipes, alcohol, and sanitary napkins.
If you want to help babies and children from Marawi now in the evacuation centers in CDO, Iligan, Cotabato. pic.twitter.com/vOH4rg8jnB
— Sec. Judy Taguiwalo (@sec_judy) June 3, 2017
In a disaster response update released this morning, DSWD notes that 42,998 families have been affected by the clash which started on May 23.
Update on the ongoing relief operations for families affected by the armed conflict in Marawi City. @sec_judy #DSWDMayMalasakit pic.twitter.com/GLf8TdSkHn
— DSWD (@dswdserves) June 5, 2017
The clashes in Marawi erupted when security forces raided a house to arrest Isnilon Hapilon, a veteran Filipino militant regarded as IS’s leader in the Philippines. He is on the US government’s list of most-wanted terrorists.
