Moms Wrap Care Packs in Malong for Those Affected in Marawi Siege

Filipinos are no stranger to national crisis. We have rallied to help those in need whenever there's a storm that ravages a town or city. We can do it again for our brothers and sisters in the South. Since the Marawi crisis started, there are already 1,432 families or 7,439 persons who have fled from Marawi City as a result of the ongoing clash. About 691 families or 3,688 persons are housed in evacuation centers.  

So how else can you help our sisters in the South? Send cash donations to Modern Nanays of Mindanao (MNM), a group of mothers who advocate breastfeeding, babywearing, and cloth diapering. It currently has more than 6,000 members, composed of moms, pediatricians, obstetricians, and family advocates who support their principles

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MNM has been asking for donations for the 120 and 250 females in Buru-un and Ma. Cristina evacuation centers, respectively along, with 160 and 400 children who are seeking for relief operations. The group has responded with Malong Care Packs, which contains essentials that are specifically for moms with children below 2 years old. 

Each Malong Care Pack consists of:

• 5 water bottles
• 5 easy-to-open canned goods
• 1 dozen shampoo sachet
• 3 pieces of soap
• 18 pieces of diapers
• 2 packs of sanitary pads
• 1 face towel
• 2 toothbrushes
• 6 toothpaste sachets
• 1 pack baby wipes
• 1 bottle of isopropyl alcohol 
• Baby clothes 

We laud the group for wrapping these essentials in a "malong," a Maranao garb, which the mother can use as a turban, dress, blanket, sunshade, bed sheet, dressing room, hammock, prayer mat, baby carrier and many others. Look:

As of May 31, the group has already sent their first batch of 306 Malong Care Packs. 

Pediatrician Dr. Francesca “Zeka” To, a breastfeeding advocate and co-founder of non-profit group L.A.T.C.H. (Lactation, Attachment, Training, Counseling, Help), stressed in an article in Smart Parenting that breastfeeding is essential during emergencies. Evacuation centers are often crowded and have very limited water supply, and the risk of contaminated water to mix formula or wash bottles leads to diarrhea, infections, other illneses, and even death.

That's why today, June 1, MNM set up a mom-and-child-friendly spaces with a community kitchen in evacuation centers in Iligan City. These spaces aim to help and encourage moms to breastfeed and be a place where young children can eat healthy foods that do not quickly spoil such as kamote, kalabasa, corn, monggo beans.  

MNM are still open to welcome volunteers and receive donations whether in kind or in cash:

Cash donations
BPI Savings 2059 2061 79 Tracy Kaye Salagantin
BDO 000870 452 940 Windy Park

Or you may ship the items to:
Modern Nanays of Mindanao
c/o Ivy Yrika Frantz Merilles
362 Apovel Subdivision, Bulua,Cagayan de Oro City
Call 0917-7069040

Visit Modern Nanays of Mindanao on Facebook for more information.

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