Almost four months after super typhoon Lawin ravaged Cagayan Valley region, particularly the provinces of Isabela and Cagayan, DSWD Field Office 02 (the Field Office) bared response operations and early recovery measures for Lawin victims in the region  in a press briefing lead by Oxfam, Philippines at Hotel Roma, Tuguegarao City.

The said press conference aimed to gather reflections and  recommendations from the participating Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) representing the  farmers sector on what is needed to support communities to recover.

Likewise, the media event was an avenue for sharing ground stories of farmers and indigenous people’s challenges after Typhoon Lawin destroyed their homes and livelihoods. Participating CSOs came from the provinces of Apayao, Isabela and Cagayan.

“We at Oxfam recognized DSWD’s role in the recovery of Lawin survivors. Thus, it is imperative that we hear from DSWD the strategies and initiatives it initiated in order to strengthen risk reduction and resilience,” said Ms. Rhoda V. Avila, OIC Media, Advocacy and Campaigns Coordinator, Oxfam Philippines.

The Field Office, together with other regional line agencies shared its strategies and initiatives along disaster preparedness, response and early recovery.

Following the press briefing, the participants proceeded to Alcala, Cagayan and took part in the distribution of Oxfam’s PayMaya Visa cards to support livelihoods recovery and the immediate needs of the most vulnerable families in the said municipality.

Oxfam Philippines is an international non-government organization working with other organizations and institutions to end poverty and suffering in close to 100 countries worldwide and in the Philippines since 1987. ###By: Gela Flor R. Perez, Regional Information Officer II