Officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Wednesday visited the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office IX to meet with Regional Director Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo and discuss about the processes of interventions and services being provided to Pinoy deportees coming from Malaysia.

ICRC Zamboanga Head Marcel Gayoneche and ICRC Kota Kinabalo Head Mao Sato spearheaded the visit to find out the policies along provision of immediate aid to IDPs such as hygiene kit and medical kit since ICRC has been regularly donating in-kind assistance to Processing Center for Displaced Persons (PCDP), a center operated by the DSWD.

The meeting allowed a rich exchange of perceptions between DSWD and ICRC to further enhance the services and assistance given to the repatriates. It also became an opportunity for both parties to work on strengthening the coordination with DSWD provincial office in Tawi-Tawi as far as reporting the number of clients served is concerned to avoid double counting.

PCDP is mandated to respond to the needs of the increasing number of Filipino deportees/ repatriates from Sabah, Malaysia as well as other locally-displaced persons e.g. victims of trafficking in persons/ illegal recruitment, etc. needing temporary shelter and emergency relief assistance. It provides social support services and intervention to which include temporary shelter/ care, food Assistance, clothing assistance, psycho-social services, medical assistance, burial assistance, transportation assistance, literacy/ awareness session, livelihood/ skills training and referral services.

Last night, June 8, 193 Pinoy deportees arrive in Zamboanga at around ten o’clock and were immediately brought to the PCDP wherein they were properly documented, assessed and provided with necessary assistance.###