Management of the Bereaved Families

Objectives

1 2 3
To recognize how to Demonstrate Know the different
provide initial MHPSS appropriate and programs and services
to bereaved families; sensitive attitude in for the bereaved families
dealing with bereaved
families; and
 General Policy

● Local Social Welfare and Development Offices is

the lead in the overall management of the
bereaved families in coordination with Local Health
Offices on the provision of physiological,
psychological, and social needs.

● The Department Social Welfare and Development

and Department of Health and other cluster
member agencies provides technical assistance
and augmentation for medical, psychological and
financial needs of the bereaved families
 Types of Problems

Social/Psychological Problems

● Pre-existing (pre-emergency) social problems

● Emergency-induced social problems
● Mental Health Problems
● Humanitarian aid-related problems
 Some of the Key Facts

● Almost all people affected by emergencies will

experience psychological distress, which for most people
will improve over time.
● People with severe mental health orders are especially
vulnerable during emergencies and need access to
mental health care and other basic needs.
● Despite their tragic nature and adverse effects on mental
health, emergencies have shown to build sustainable
mental health systems for all people in need.
● Children
● Women
● Men
● Elderly People
● Extremely Poor People
● Internally Displaced Persons (IDP)
● People who have been exposed to extremely stressful
events/traumas
● People in the community with pre-existing disorders
● People in institutions
● People experiencing severed social stigma
● People at specific risk of human rights violations
 Cluster System

A process to improve the effectiveness

of humanitarian response through:

Accountability

Responsibility

Partnership (coordination and

prioritization)
 Emergency Response Without Cluster

UN

UN Govt
Govt
NGOs
NGOs
NGOs INGO
s
NGOs
UN INGO
s
INGO Govt
s UN
NGOs UN
IOs NGOs
 Emergency Response With Cluster
NGOs

INGO
UN Cluster
s
NGOs
More strategic responses

Gov’t.
INGO
UN Cluster
s
Clear division of labor among actors
NGO NGO
s s
Gov’t.

UN Cluster
ING Provider of last resort UN Cluster
ING
Os Os

Gov’t Gov’t
. .

Better prioritization of resources

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
Response and Early Recovery Cluster System

NDRRMC Chairperson
(DND)
Executive Director
(OCD)
Vice-Chairperson for Response
(DSWD)

Secretariat/ Operational Coordinator

(OCD)

Food and Protection Health Mgmt of the Logistics Int’l Early Recovery
Non-Food (DSWD) (DOH) Dead and (OCD) Humanitarian
Missing (OCD)
Items Assistance
(DILG)
(DSWD) (DFA)

Law and Shelter

Camp Coordination Education Order Emergency
Search, Rescue (DHSUD)
and Camp (DepEd) (PNP) Telecomms
and Retrieval
Management (AFP) (DICT)
(DSWD)
 MDM Cluster
MDM

Management of Management of
Disaster Victim Final the Bereaved
the Missing
Identification Arrangement Individuals/
Persons
Families

Lead: Lead: DILG

NBI, PNP Lead: PNP Lead: LSWDO
through LGUs

Support: Support:
Support: Support:
AFP AFP
LSWDO DSWD
BFP DOH
DSWD DEPED
DOH BFP
PRC AFP
PCG PRC
DOH PRC
OCD DPWH
PCG DOH
DILG PCG
OCD Dev’t. Partners
PRC DENR
Dev’t. Partners
Dev’t. Partners Dev’t. Partners
CCCM AND IDP PROTECTION CLUSTER

DSWD

DILG-PNP,
DOH DEPED PRC
WCPC
 Internally Displaced Person Protection

Ensure the protection of all IDPs, that their

best interest and welfare shall be paramount
considerations in all actions concerning them.
Guiding Principles for the Protection of Internally
Displaced Persons
Principle 3:
National/Local authorities have the primary duty and responsibility to
provide protection and humanitarian assistance to internally displaced
persons within their jurisdiction.

Principle 16:
•Right to know the fate and whereabouts of missing relatives  
•Right to access to the grave sites of their deceased relatives
•Authorities shall endeavor to:
○ Establish fate of the missing & cooperate with relevant
international organizations engaged in this task;
○ Inform the next of kin on the progress of the investigation;
○ Collect and identify the mortal remains of those deceased,
prevent their despoliation or mutilation; and
○ Protect the grave site.
Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) -
Sub-Cluster of the Health Cluster

DOH

Health WASH Nutrition MHPSS

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support
• To provide Psychological First Aid to the
general population;
• To refer Psychiatric cases to appropriate
Mental Health Facilities;
• To protect and promote well-being of
responders; and
• To provide psychological interventions to
survivors of sexual violence and
vulnerable groups (OPs, PWDs,
PWSNs, etc).
 Psychological Processing

It is a “package” of crisis intervention tactics. It is also considered as an

intervention protocol developed specifically for dealing with traumatic
events. This processing aims to stabilize, reduce symptoms, and return the
survivor to functional capacity in the aftermath of a critical incidents, it involves
the following:
● Providing practical care and support, which does not intrude;
● Helping people to address basic needs (food, water and information);
● Listening to people, but not pressuring them to talk;
● Comforting people and helping them to feel calm;
● Helping people connect to information, services and social supports; and
● Protecting people from further harm.
 Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Psychological first aid (PFA) describes a humane, supportive response to a fellow

human being who is suffering and who may need support. Aiming to stabilize, reduce
symptoms, and return the survivor to functional capacity in the aftermath of a critical
incident.

PFA is a set of skills and knowledge that can be used to help people who are in
distress. Assessing needs and concerns; Protecting people from further harm; Providing
emotional support; Helping to address immediate basic needs, such as food, water or
temporary place to stay; and helping people access information, services and social
supports.
 Guiding Principles
Use a survivor-centered approach by practicing:

● RESPECT: all actions you take are guided by respect for the survivor’s
choices, wishes, rights and dignity

● SAFETY: the safety of the survivor is the number one priority.

● CONFIDENTIAL: people have the right to choose to whom they will or

will not tell their story. Maintaining confidentiality means not sharing any
information to anyone.

● NON-DISCRIMINATION: providing equal and fair treatment to anyone

in need of support.
 Where is PFA provided?

PFA may be offered wherever it is safe enough to do so. This is often in

community settings, such as at the scene of an accident, or places where
distressed people are served, such as health centers, shelters or camps,
schools and distribution sites for food or other types of help.

Ideally, PFA is provided where there is some privacy to talk with the person.
For people who have been exposed to certain types of crisis events, such
as sexual violence, privacy is essential for confidentiality and to respect the
person’s dignity
 Who can provide PFA?
✔Volunteers, first responders, members of the public.
✔It is not something only professionals can offer.

How do you provide PFA?

Look, Listen and Link

The action you take in PFA depend on the situation and needs of the people
you are helping. There are three basic sets of action principles – LOOK,
LISTEN AND LINK.
 PFA – LOOK (for)

✔Information on what has happened and is

happening;
✔Who needs help;
✔Safety and security risks;
✔Physical injuries;
✔Immediate basic and practical needs; and
✔Emotional reactions
 PFA – Listen (refers to how the helper…)

✔Approaches someone
✔Introduces oneself
✔Pays attention and listens actively
✔Accepts others’ feelings
✔Calms the person in distress
✔Asks about needs and concerns
✔ Helps the person(s) in distress find solutions
to their immediate needs and problems.
 PFA – Link (is helping people)

✔Access information
✔Connect with loved ones and social support
✔Tackle practical problems
✔Access services and other help.
 Ethical Do’s and Don’t’s
DO’S
• Be Honest and trustworthy
• Respect people’s right to make
their own decisions
• Be aware of and set aside your
own biases and prejudices
• Make it clear to people that even if
they refuse help now, they can still
access help in the future.
• Respect privacy and keep the
person’s story confidential, if this is
appropriate
• Behave appropriately by
considering the person’s culture,
age and gender
DON'TS
• Don’t exploit your relationship as a helper
• Don’t ask the person for any money or favor
for helping them.
• Don’t make false promises or give false
information
• Don’t exaggerate your skills
• Don’t force help on people, and don’t be
intrusive or pushy
• Don’t’ pressure people to tell you their story
• Don’t share the person’s story with others.
• Don’t judge the person for their actions or
feelings
 Consider the Following Questions As You Prepare To
Offer PFA In Different Cultures
• Do I need to dress a certain way to be respectful?
Dress • Will impacted people be in need of certain clothing items to keep their dignity and customs?

• What is the customary way of greeting people in this culture?

Language • What language do they speak?

Gender, Age • Should affected women only be approached by women helpers?

• Who may I approach? (e.g. head of the family or community?)
and Power

Touching and • What are the usual customs around touching people?
• Is it all right to hold someone’s hand or touch their shoulder?
Behavior
• Are there special things to consider in terms of behavior around the elderly, children, women, or
others?
Beliefs and • Who are the different ethnic and religious groups among the affected people?
• What beliefs or practices are important to the people affected?
Religion
• How might they understand or explain what has happened?
 Management of the Bereaved Families

Psychological, social, psychosocial and medical needs,, as well as

assistance in the processing of benefit claims of the bereaved
families shall be attended by appropriate agencies

Lead agency in the overall management of the bereaved families

Support: LEAD: LSWDO

● DSWD
Shall provide technical
● DOH
assistance and resource
● PRC augmentation to LSWDO
● Development Partners
Institutionalization

Local Government Units

● P/M/C Social Welfare and Development
Office
● P/M/C HEalth Offices
● NGOs

National and Regional Offices

● DSWD
● DOH
● PRC
● NGOs
 Task / Roles
P/M/C Social Welfare and Development Office shall provide the following:

Financial
Transportation
Assistance

Burial Relief Livelihood

Assistance Assistance Assistance
 Task / Roles
P/M/C Social Welfare and Development Office shall provide the
following:

● Ensure availability of Food and Non-food items

✓ Family Food Packs
✓ Family kits
✓ Hygiene kits
✓ Temporary Shelter

● Ensure availability of updated age/sex disaggregated

data/masterlist of families
● Ensure availability of Trained personnel to conduct
Psychological First Aid and Psychosocial Processing
 Task / Roles
National Government Offices shall provide the following:

● DSWD National and Regional Office shall provide augmentation support to the LSWDO
on the following:
✓ Financial Assistance
✓ Transportation
✓ Burial
✓ Livelihood Assistance

● Ensure availability of Food and Non-food items

✓ Family Food Packs
✓ Family Kits
✓ Hygiene kits
✓ Temporary Shelter

● Ensure availability of Trained personnel to conduct Psychological First Aid and

Psychosocial Support Processing.
Assistance and Services
 Financial Assistance

Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT)

The ECT is an adaptive strategy in bridging the gaps between the

immediate disaster relief, humanitarian response and early recovery
support through the provision of unconditional cash to victim disasters
and emergency situations requiring DSWD interventions
 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) is a provision of integrated

services to individuals and families in crisis or difficult situation (either walk-in or
referred) to enable them to meet their requirements for financial, medical,
transportation, legal, psychosocial, funeral, and other services in crisis situations
 Funeral Assistance

Assistance to shoulder funeral costs and related expenses, including, but not
limited to cases of bringing home the bodies of their deceased family
especially among the indigenous people

Requirements:
✓ Funeral Contract
✓ Death Certificate of the deceased
✓ Barangay Certificate/ Indigency and any valid ID of the client
✓ Permit to transfer / health permit (for transfer of cadaver)
✓ Referral letter (if applicable)

* Social Case Study Report may be required (subject to the assessment of the Social Worker)
 Medical Assistance

Assistance to shall cover hospitalization expenses, cost of medicines, and other medical
treatment or procedures

Requirements:
✓ Clinical Abstract/Medical Certificate with Signature and license number of the attending
physicians
✓ Hospital Bill, Prescription or Laboratory Request
✓ Barangay Certificate / Indigency and any valid ID of the client
✓ Referral Letter (if applicable)

* DSWD MC No. 15. s. 2022 Updated Guidelines for the Implementation of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis
Situation Program
 Family Food Packs

Composition:
• 6 kilos of rice;
• 2 tin cans of sardines;
• 4 tin cans tuna flakes;
• 4 tin cans of corned beef;
• 5 sachets of instant coffee
• 5 sachets powdered
cereal drink.
 Non-Food Items Assistance

Kitchen Kits Composition:

● 5 pieces spoons
● 5 pieces fork
● 5 pieces drinking glass
● 5 plates
● 1 piece frying pan
(kawali)
● 1 piece cooking pan
(kaldero)
● 1 piece ladle
 Non-Food Items Assistance

Hygiene Kits Composition:

● 5 pieces toothbrush
● 5 pieces toothpaste
● 5 bottle shampoo
● 2000 grams laundry bar
soap
● 4 sanitary napkin
● 1 piece comb
● 1 piece disposable
shaving razor
● 1 nail cutter
● 1 piece bathroom dipper
 Non-Food Items Assistance
Family Kit Composition:
● 5 Pieces Bath Towel
● 2 Pieces Ladies’ Panty
● 3 Pieces Girl’s Panty
● 2 Pieces Men’s Brief
● 2 Pieces Boy’s Brief
● 2 Pieces Sando Bra, Girls
● 2 Pieces Sando Bra, Women
● 4 Pieces Adult’s T-shirt
● 4 Pieces Adult’s Shorts
● 6 Pieces Children’s Shorts
● 2 Pieces Adult’s Slipper
● 3 Pieces Children’s Slippers
 Non-Food Items Assistance

Sleeping Kit Composition:

● 2 Pieces Blanket
● 1 Piece Sleeping Mat
● 1 Piece Mosquito Net
● 1 Piece Malong
● 1 Piece Pillow
 Livelihood Assistance

Capacity-building program for poor, vulnerable, marginalized household

and communities to help improve their socio economic conditions.

MODALITY:
✓ Capital Seed Fund- serves as start-up capital for the program
participants
✓ Cash for Building Livelihood Assets Fund- cash stipend equivalent
to 75% of the prevailing DRMW for rendering work.
✓ Skills Training Fund- It is a capacity-building strategy to prepare
program participants to better manage their chosen livelihood.
✓ Employment Facilitation Fund- Includes: processing of employment
requirements, payment of medical exam
 Transportation Assistance

Assistance for the payment of transportation (such as to purchase tickets to sea/land

transport facilities) to enable them to return to their home provinces or to attend to
emergency concerns such as death.

Requirements:
✓ Barangay Certificate / Indigency and any valid ID of the client
✓ Police Blotter (for victims of illegal recruitment, etc.)
✓ Referral letter (if applicable)
 Other Assistance

● Family/Peer Support System

● Social Welfare Inquiry Desk/ Information Center
● Educational Assistance
● Legal needs
● Psychiatric/Mental Health Services such as
Psychological First Aid
 Objectives

1 2 3
To recognize how to Demonstrate Know the different
provide initial MHPSS appropriate and programs and services
to bereaved families; sensitive attitude in for the bereaved families
dealing with bereaved
families; and
Thank you!