The eruption of Taal Volcano has moved individuals and organizations to help by means of donating relief items to displaced residents in evacuation centers across the affected provinces of Batangas and Cavite.
During calamities like this, the most affected are always the children, especially babies who depend only on mother’s milk for nourishment.
But in as much as mothers would want to ask for supply of baby food alternatives, it is prohibited by law.
The National Nutrition Council (NNC) reminds the public that a ‘no-milk donation policy’ is being implemented in the country for victims of disasters and calamities.
The NNC said that in compliance to Executive Order 51 or The Milk Code and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations: “Donations of breast milk substitutes including infant formula, powdered milk, and other milk; feeding bottles, teats, and commercial baby food are not allowed, and these should not be part of general distribution of emergency food packs.”
Thus, health workers are not allowed by law to accept and distribute breastmilk substitutes.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the Philippine Milk Code as one of the strongest breastfeeding protection laws in the world.
It imposes strict regulation upon the marketing of formula milk or other breastfeeding alternatives because it poses harmful effects to babies’ health.
The Council emphasized that “artificial feeding using milk other than breast milk is not safe due to a lack of supply of clean water and fuel for sterilization and boiling utensils, among others,” which is true in evacuation centers where sanitation is of major concern.
Lack of sanitation and clean water may lead to diarrhea which, the NCC said, is one of the leading causes of death in children in the world.
Likewise, uncontrolled distribution of breastmilk substitutes such as powdered and formula milk can lead to early and unnecessary cessation of breastfeeding.
The National Policies on Infant and Young Children (DOH-AO 2006-0014) states that in times of crisis, “breastfeeding is the first and best feeding option for infants and young children and that mothers and babies should remain together and provided with support to be able to feed appropriately even under difficult circumstances,” the NNC cited.
The Department of Health (DOH) meanwhile stressed that in times of emergencies, the following feeding options are recommended:
- expressed breastmilk, fed by cup;
- breastfeeding from healthy wet nurse;
- human milk from milk bank, fed by cup.
“Should these options become unavailable, the last option is to feed by cup infant formula (unlabeled) which should be only under the supervision of health and nutrition workers and prepared centrally,” the NNC recommended.
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