According to the news, 9.5 million people have been affected, with almost 620,000 displaced from their homes due to super Typhoon Yolanda. Unicef reported that up to 1.7 million children could be affected. Sad as it is, this number is still expected to increase as more affected areas become accessible.
Infant Feeding During Disasters from www.acf.hhs.gov/ohser
Children urgently need access to safe water, hygiene supplies, food, shelter and a safe environment to recover. The DOH recommends to continue breastfeeding infants during typhoon and with this, they have partnered with milk banks for donations. If you have breastmilk to share you can drop them off to the following locations:
– Medela House. They are located at 29 1st St. New Manila QC and will be open 24 by for your drop offs. You can reach them at 7253723 or medelamoms@gmail.com.
– UP-PGH Human Milk Bank at the 4th Floor, Left Central Block (LCB), Taft Ave., Manila. Contact numbers: (02)554-8400 loc. 3418, 0921-453-5310
– Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) Human Milk Bank at 2F Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City. Contact number: (02)924-6601 to 25 loc. 288
– Makati Human Milk Bank at the 4th floor, Barangay Bangkal Health Center, E. Rodriguez St. Barangay Bangkal Makati City. Contact numbers: (02) 843-8576, 0927-5619889.
– Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital at Lope de Vega, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Contact numbers: (02)734-5561 loc. 156, 0922-8855406.
– Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) at the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit, B. Rodriguez St, Cebu City. Contact number: (032) 253-9898
– Southern Philippines Medical Center at J.P. Laurel Avenue, Davao City. Contact numbers: (082) 227-2731 or (082) 221-7029
Your donated breastmilk will be pasteurized and the milk goes to DOH. DOH will transport the precious gifts to their counterparts in the devastated areas.
Infant formula and powdered milk, especially during times of disaster and emergency situations is risky due to lack of clean water supply and sanitation facilities. It can be contaminated by unclean feeding bottles or utensils.
