The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) exhorts all families in conflict-affected barangays in Zamboanga City but are not staying in evacuation centers to register with the district social welfare office in their area to ensure that they will also receive assistance.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman pointed out after meeting with the local government of Zamboanga City that the Local Social Welfare Office which has district offices in key areas in the city should start to register families outside evacuation centers to ensure that these families are also assisted.

The DSWD appealed to the public not to flock into the JFE Sports Complex or Grandstand for registration as the district welfare offices are open to assist them.

Meanwhile, Secretary Soliman, during a briefing with DSWD staff, emphasized that  families inside and outside evacuation centers should be continuously provided with family food packs.

The Secretary also instructed DSWD social workers to continue to provide Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) to individuals needing therapy and counseling. CISD is a psycho-social intervention to help individuals cope with their traumatic experiences. ###