Yangon: The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has mobilized its psychological first aid (PFA) team to provide immediate support to survivors of the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28. Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao of the DSWD’s Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG) stated that the team arrived in Yangon on Friday to commence their humanitarian mission.

According to Philippines News Agency, the DSWD PFA team reached Yangon on April 11. Dumlao mentioned in a news release that the DSWD, in collaboration with other government agencies, is committed to supporting Filipino nationals and other survivors affected by this disaster. The eight-member team, composed of a psychologist and social workers, is currently engaged in orientation and planning sessions to ensure smooth coordination and effective service delivery once fully deployed.

The PFA personnel are part of the broader Philippine Rapid Response Deployment Team (RRDT), which includes representatives from the DSWD, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Department of Health. Upon arrival in Myanmar, members of the RRDT, along with Philippine embassy officials, assisted bereaved families in receiving the ashes of two Filipino nationals who died during the earthquake.

In the Philippines, the DSWD has initiated counseling sessions for the families of the affected overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), many of whom were teachers. The department has also provided PHP10,000 in cash assistance to each family of the affected OFWs. ‘We are also conducting assessments to determine the need for further medical assistance for family members who depended on the deceased OFWs for their needs,’ Dumlao said.

The DSWD’s ongoing efforts underscore the Philippine government’s commitment to ensuring that Filipinos affected abroad and their families back home receive comprehensive support in times of crisis.