The Department of Health-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOH-ARMM) distributed on Monday second hand toys and children’s books to the children in Mamasapano and Pagalungan in Maguindanao.
ARMM health secretary Kadil Sinolinding said they aim to help lessen the trauma left by the recent conflicts in the areas.
The project dubbed “Laruang Pambata, Alay sa Kapayapaan” also serves as a psychosocial intervention method to help children overcome fear and anxiety, Sinolinding said.
“After a series of health interventions in the war-affected communities in Mamasapano, we found out that trauma brought about by the January 25 clash is the most difficult to handle,” he said.
According to Dr. Tahir Sulaik, Maguindanao health chief, about 60% of the estimated 9,000 displaced individuals were children.
