DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has distributed a total of 1,585 hygiene kits to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who were affected by tropical storm “Sendong.”

Each hygiene kit -- which comes in the form of a bucket -- contains underwear, toiletries, batteries, and a malong which can be used either as a blanket or a bag. The kits distributed in Dumaguete City form part of the total 1,585 kits that are to be distributed to identified mothers in Negros Oriental.

UNFPA Program Officer Dyezebel Dado led the distribution of the kits at the Dumaguete Session Hall together with Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and Dumaguete City Vice Mayor Alan Gel Cordova.

The governor earlier requested the UNFPA for relief assistance after “Sendong,” which struck the province on Dec. 17, 2011, left thousands of families displaced after their houses were either swept away or damaged by the raging floods.

“We will also be distributing these kits in Sibulan, Valencia and Tanjay City,” said Dado. UNFPA provided the kits to address the urgent needs of pregnant and breastfeeding women especially in evacuation centers.