The Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas received a mobile kitchen from the DSWD Central Office to enhance disaster response operations.
The mobile kitchen is a key asset in providing hot meals to internally-displaced persons (IDPs) in evacuation centers or camps during the pre-emptive evacuations, disaster, and post-disaster phases.
The Disaster Response Management Division (DRMD), led by chief Erlyn Garcia, together with the Field Office VI team, formally accepted the unit at the DSWD 6 in Iloilo March 20, its press release said.
OIC assistant regional director for Operations Katherine Joy Lamprea also led the thorough inspection and inventory of the equipment and kitchen utensils to ensure their operational condition and readiness prior to deployment.
The new disaster response vehicle, mounted on a 4×4 six-wheeler truck, is equipped with essential tools, including a generator, freezer, tabletop oven, four heavy-duty single-burner gas stoves, a 200-liter stainless steel water tank, and a complete set of kitchen utensils.
It also features a stainless steel sink, and grease tarp for efficient food preparation and sanitation.
Capable of serving at least 500 individuals per meal, the mobile kitchen will ensure that displaced families receive proper nourishment during emergencies, the DSWD6 said.
The agency expressed gratitude for the continued support in strengthening its disaster response capabilities, emphasizing its commitment to delivering timely assistance to affected communities. ||
