Right to Health a) Access to medical services It was noted that DOH health desks are existing and operational in most evacuation centers. Children acknowledge the presence of health care providers in the evacuation centers. They are aware that free medical assistance and medicines are within their reach. In Maria Cristina, evacuees received reliefs and medical assistance from the time they arrived in the evacuation center. In Pantar, a boy who is suffering from polio receives vitamins and other medical aid to help him in his condition. In Balo-I there is no health desk but evacuees have ready access to medical services because their local government regularly coordinates with the DOH, “Marami pong bata na nagkakasakit dito, ung iba kasi dito, parang may chicken-pox, allergic, kasi sa tubig na nililiguan na galing sa gubat makati. Pero nagpupunta dito ang DOH para magbigay ng gamot tsaka nag-checheck-up. Nakikita ni Chairman, siya ang tumatawag sa DOH”, detailed a teenager from Balo-I. In contrast, it was reported that in Saguiaran a child died due to malnourishment. According to one parent, children with pre-existing conditions are not being monitored by health providers. These children only receive medicines when they experience sickness. a.1) Care for Newborn Babies A woman who recently gave birth decided to leave her baby in the care of her mother who is currently staying in the MSU compound. The woman admitted that it was difficult to be separated from her baby but she feels that it’s the right thing to do as the living condition in the evacuation center is not suitable for a new born child. “Mahirap, maraming bata dito. May namatay na nga na isang bata dahil sa sakit, kapapanganak palang din. Bahay kasi yung iniistayan nila doon, mas safe kaysa dito na maraming tao,” explained the young mother. It was also shared to the group that formula milk is not allowed to be distributed in evacuation centers in compliance with the “no milk donation policy” under the Milk Code. To encourage nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies, the Department of Health (DOH) set-up Mother and Baby friendly spaces in all evacuation centers. The problem, however, arises when new born babies are separated from their mothers. In the case discussed above, the baby is fed with Am or rice water, and infant cereal that is included in the food packs. a.2) The Need for Psychosocial Support for Children While participating in our activity in Saguiaran, the children sensed that a helicopter is passing by. Upon hearing the loud noise one of the participants exclaimed, “Helicopter na naman, maghuhulog ng bomba!”. The statement was echoed by another child, “Ayan na nga ang helicopter. Malungkot kami ngayon kasi dumadaan ang helicopter binombombahan nya ang Marawi -- ung bahay namin, wala na kaming matitirhan doon.” A mother who was overseeing the activity shared that children are easily frightened by the sound of the helicopter, or any loud noise for that matter. Another boy in Saguiaran was observed to have changed after they fled Marawi. His sister attested that he is not as cheerful as he was before. He became quiet and would cry whenever he would hear screams or people shouting. A 14year old boy who was separated from her parents is also in the state of trauma when interviewed. He is unable to mention the names of his parents and would cry every time he talks of them. The boy has not seen his family for more than a month already. In Pantar, LDN, the group was able to talk to an evacuee by the name of Samsudin Salido who introduced himself as a church volunteer. Mr. Salido is very much concerned of the well-being of the children in the Evacuation Center. He believes that the children need to be guided so that they are able to freely express their emotions. He has seen how the behaviour of children changed after they were 69