SM Cares Holds Emergency Preparedness Forum for Children and Youth with Disabilities
Did you know that 1 out of 7 Filipino children or 5.1 million children
are living with some kind of disability? They are the hearing-impaired,
visually-impaired, mobility-impaired and developmentally disabled among others.
But what happens when there’s an emergency situation and disaster struck?
During disasters, persons with disabilities, especially the young
ones, are seen to be more disadvantaged due to their limitations on mobility
and awareness and since they have different needs, they need different support
during emergency situation.
This scenario is what prompt SM Cares, the Corporate Social
Responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings to once again hold an Emergency
Preparedness Forum focusing on Children and Youth with Disabilities (between
10-30 years old) that happened last July 9, 2018 at Hall 3 of the SMX
Convention Center, MOA Complex, Pasay City.
The forum aims to provide substantial information about the reality of
a potential earthquake scenario in Metro Manila, as well as making them better prepared
for disasters and calamities.
Engr. Bien C. Mateo, SVP for Mall Operations Director gave the welcome
remarks and shared how the SM Cares Program advocates emergency preparedness.
Ms. Lotta Sylwander Country Representative, UNICEF Philippines
provided statistical information and situation of the disabled in our country.
Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr. Undersecretary for Disaster Risk Reduction
Department of Science 8: Technology (DOST), and Ofiicer-imCharge, Philippine
Institute of Volcanology 8: Seismology (PHIVOLCS) discussed about "The Big One" in Metro Manila.
While Dr. Ted Esguerra, Operational Medicine instructor talked about Preparing for
and Surviving an Earthquake.
Despite the bad weather forecast an estimated 1,000 people composed of
young people who are blind, deaf, with physical/orthopaedic impairments, with
Down syndrome, Autism, and with rare disorders along with their guardians
attended said forum as well as the different PWD organizations and learning
institutions.
Several participants get to experience first-hand emergency
preparedness thru a simulation Drills conducted by Dr. Ted Esguerra and how the
International Disaster Response Network do their part.
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