The Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC) in Myanmar, comprising the uniformed and non-uniformed personnel from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Urban Search and Rescue Team of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Air Force (PAF), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) of the Department of Health (DOH). (Photo Courtesy of MMDA)
THE 7.7 MAGNITUDE earthquake that struck Myanmar still lingers heavily, leaving behind a trail of destruction and devastation that changed the lives of affected communities forever.
In the face of despair, a contingent of dedicated volunteers from the Philippines brought them a much-needed hope, delivering more than just a humanitarian mission but a heartfelt compassion that uplifted the people of Myanmar.
The story of the 91-member Philippine Inter-Agency Humanitarian Contingent (PIAHC), often unseen beyond the headlines, is one of tireless dedication, profound sacrifice, and quiet heroism that blooms in trying times.
Leaving behind their families and homeland, these individuals were confronted with the challenge of assisting surviving communities in a desperate struggle for humanitarian support, especially when it comes to medical care.
PIAHC Contingent Commander Lieutenant Colonel Erwen Diploma of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), while experienced in humanitarian mission deployments, still carries the worry of his family while he is away. However, he emphasized that in times like this, his sense of duty remains strong in order to help communities to the best of his abilities.
“Pagdating po namin, we’re not allowed to use any source of (external) communication. On our part, in particular sa mga uniformed service, sanay na po kami sa mga ganung operations and although gusto rin namin na sanayin ang family namin, may mga instances talaga na magwo-worry sila considering ‘yung mga maririnig nila sa media and ‘yung background ng pupuntahan namin. ‘Yung family ko po, noong time na pauwi na kami tsaka ko lang natatawagan,” said Diploma.
[Upon our arrival, we weren’t allowed to use any form of (external) communication. On our part, in particular to those in the uniformed service, we’re used to those kinds of operations, and although we want our families to grow accustomed to it, there are really instances that they worry considering what they hear in the media and the background of where we’re going. Personally, the only time I was able to contact my family was back when we’re already heading home.]
For thirteen (13) days, while the world watched the crisis unfold from afar, the Philippine contingent to Myanmar tirelessly worked on the ground to serve the most vulnerable, bringing hospital services directly to the wounded, injured, and those who have experienced psychological trauma because of the earthquake.
Philippine Emergency Medical Assistance Team (PEMAT) Lead Dr. Ma. Ivy Lozada can still recall how a patient they encountered responded to their help.
“Na-experience ko ‘yung isang pasyente na may sugat siya sa paa, and then ayaw niyang pahawakan ‘yung paa niya dahil madumi ‘yung paa niya at hindi pa siya naka-experience ng ganun na hahawakan ‘yung paa niya at lilinisin,” Lozada narrated.
(I experienced a patient who had a wound on his foot, and then he didn’t want anyone to touch his foot because it was dirty. He had not experienced having his foot touched and cleaned like that before.)
Lozada underscored how the thankful smiles and small gestures of gratitude of residents helped them overcome the emotional toll of witnessing human suffering firsthand.
“When we were there, they were so pleased that we were able to give them the healthcare that they need with free medications, free laboratory examinations, and compassionate care,” she added, noting that some of the patients they treated happily provided them with food and water despite the scarcity as a way of thanking them.
Lessons learned
The deployment of PEMAT to Myanmar marks their first international deployment since receiving the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) Badge from the World Health Organization (WHO) in September 2024.
The EMT Badge signifies the capacity of the medical team to provide internationally agreed and accepted standards of healthcare during public health emergencies.
PEMAT is in charge of establishing self-sufficient and fully operational field hospitals to provide community-based primary, outpatient, and life-saving care.
Nurse Eric John Capito, the Assistant Team Lead of PEMAT from the Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium (DJNRMHS) in Caloocan, recognized that setting up a medical facility in the middle of a disaster-stricken area is no small feat.
Aside from working around the clock to ensure that their facility is responsive to the needs of the community, they also have to rely on each other for emotional strength.
“In terms of capacity, logistics, we can procure that. We can invest in that. What I learned from this deployment is that all members should be team players,” said Capito.
“We should be kind to one another because we’re away from our comfort zones and our loved ones. We should maintain the harmonious relationship within the team to draw strength from each other to lessen our longing for our families and to provide quality services to communities in need,” he added.
The spirit of bayanihan has been undeniably evident in every action of PEMAT. As they returned home, they carried with them the weight of their experiences, the faces of those they helped, and the support system they built for each other behind the scenes.
The PIAHC was able to extend lifesaving assistance to 1,046 Myanmar residents which represent million of hopes restored for the country’s long-term recovery. Their sacrifices and stories of resilience serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the bayanihan spirit that transcends borders. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
