CMAT is proud to provide a summary of our deployment to the Philippines. In total, the deployment lasted one month, and the team treated nearly 2000 patients. Our work in the Philippines is far from over, though. CMAT continues to assess the needs for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as well as Mental Health and Psychological Support Services (MHPSS). We are considering sending teams to address these needs in the coming months. If you have experience working to support mental health and psychosocial needs, and are interested in a potential deployment, please contact us at [email protected].
CMAT’s assessment team was joined in the field by Medical Team 1 in Ormoc District, Leyte province, in response to the typhoon known locally as “Yolanda” which struck the Philippines on Nov 8, 2013. The 14 person medical team consisted of nurses, nurse practitioners, paramedics and physicians from across Canada, and joined the 4-member assessment team already on the ground. Major areas of Leyte were completely devastated by the powerful storm, and the destruction of infrastructure such as roads and hospitals impacted the population significantly.