Three months since howling winds and raging waters unleashed calamity upon the Ilocos Region, the imprint of Typhoon Egay’s wrath remains etched in shattered homes and traumatized psyches.
In the storm’s aftermath, local churches swiftly mobilized, distributing relief packs to affected families in partnership with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP). However, as recovery stretched on, church leaders detected lingering afflictions beyond physical reconstruction. Persistent appeals emerged for activities focused on emotional, social and mental health.
Responding to this expressed need, NCCP with Lingap Pangkabataan, recently conducted an orientation-workshop right here in Laoag City, equipping 32 church workers, volunteers and community leaders from various denominations with psychosocial support (PSS) facilitation techniques.
“In our coordination meetings following initial humanitarian response, community members clearly articulated the necessity of PSS services to restore wellbeing,” shared by one of the workshop participants.
Through interactive sessions, participants grasped essentials of mitigating issues covering psychological, relational, communal, and practical situations. Review and orientation on how to apply core skills like trauma communication, grounding exercises and creative interventions including activity therapy, art initiatives and women’s support circles. These are not new to local churches as they have been doing similar activities during vacation church schools and other church community activities.
Responding to a calamity’s urgent physical impacts, survivors seek respite, reassurance and restoration, explained Ate Cathy. “PSS entails being conduits of care – listening intently, instilling hope, affirming inherent dignity.”
Workshop participant and host Rev. Noel Pagdilao of UCCP-Laoag City stressed PSS’ role in “alleviating suffering and reminding individuals, like the Biblical Elijah, that God remains ever-present no matter the tribulation.”
Calling themselves as “Team Amianan” [Team North], the participants collaboratively formulated key activities for facilitating PSS, hosting community dialogues and mobilizing other church-led activities catered to specific recovery needs in assigned barangays. Rather than one-time relief distribution, the strategic deployment of local churches promises sustained psychosocial rehabilitation woven into daily life.
Though relentless storms may repeatedly strike the Ilocos Region, our greatest hope lies in the endurance of human compassion, they reflected. For communities seemingly trapped in endless cycles of destitution and destruction, timely interventions highlighting collective care over personal loss can gradually restore the spirit and social fabric.