OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, June 29 (PIA) – Twin kick-off ceremonies will highlight the observance of the July 2014 National Disaster Consciousness (NDCM) and National Nutrition Month (NNM) in the city, June 30.
The day will start at 5:00 a.m. with a Eucharistic Mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, followed by a motorcade along the city’s main thoroughfare, flag raising at the City Hall and press conference on NDCM and NNM, Mark Vincent C. Israel, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Officer, said.
Focused on the theme: “Kahandaan at Kaligtasan ng Pamayanan, Pundasyon ng Kaunlaran (Community Preparedness and Safety, Foundation of Progress),” activities of the NDCM include the conduct of simultaneous earthquake drills to be participated by public and private schools of the city on July 2.
Also to take place, within the month, are information, education and communication (IEC) activities to raise the awareness of the residents on DRRM, while an Oratorical, Essay-Writing and Poster-Making Contests on NDCM have been set as culmination on July 30.
Meanwhile, this year’s NNM theme of “Kalamidad Paghandaan: Gutom at Malnutrisyon Agapan! (Prepare for Disasters: Prevent Hunger and Malnutrition)” stresses the importance of preparedness and prevention of hunger and malnutrition to minimize the impact of calamities and disasters.
It also aims to promote interventions to address nutritional needs in emergencies and disasters including preparedness, response and recovery and mobilize responders, particularly, the local nutrition clusters and stakeholders to address gaps in nutrition in emergencies response from national to barangay levels.
Likewise, the NNM aims to increase awareness among families and individuals on coping and resiliency strategies to prevent malnutrition and worsening of nutritional status in times of emergencies and disasters. - PIA