The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office XI has strengthened its disaster response capabilities through a three-day training program focused on evacuation center management and the protection of families displaced by calamities.
The training on Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Protection was held from November 4 to 6, 2026, at the Grand Menseng Hotel in Davao City.
The program aimed to equip members of the agency’s Quick Response Team (QRT) with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage evacuation centers, coordinate humanitarian assistance, and ensure the safety and welfare of disaster-affected communities.
Participants underwent discussions on humanitarian standards, disaster risk reduction frameworks, camp facilities, protection mechanisms, and the responsibilities of government agencies and humanitarian partners during emergency operations.
DSWD XI Disaster Response and Rehabilitation Section Head Rachel Guerrero emphasized that the training was essential in preparing responders before their deployment to communities requiring additional assistance.
Guerrero said the program would help ensure that displaced families receive appropriate services and that their needs remain the priority of disaster response operations.
The first day of training covered national and international disaster risk reduction frameworks, humanitarian principles, and protection standards.
On the second day, participants focused on evacuation center operations, camp facilities and services, stages of camp management, and coordination among agencies involved in disaster response.
The final day addressed information management, reporting procedures, referral systems, and grievance mechanisms to help responders identify and address the concerns of displaced families.
As the lead agency of the CCCM Cluster, the DSWD is responsible for coordinating evacuation center management and assisting local government units in providing safe, accessible, and appropriate services to displaced communities.
The department also serves as vice chair for disaster response of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) under Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.
The CCCM framework promotes coordinated management of evacuation sites while ensuring that displaced individuals have access to essential services, protection, and opportunities to participate in decisions affecting their welfare.
Through the training, DSWD XI seeks to improve the readiness of its emergency responders to assess evacuation center conditions, identify gaps in services, and coordinate timely interventions during disasters.
The agency emphasized the importance of maintaining a people-centered approach to disaster response, particularly in protecting the rights, safety, and dignity of families forced to leave their homes during emergencies.
