The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released a total of P2,267,496,569.62 worth of assistance from January to September 2017 to families and individuals who have experienced a crisis through its Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS).

The assistance, delivered through the Crisis Intervention Unit (CIU) of the Department’s Central Office, Field Offices (FOs), and satellite offices in various provinces, was provided to 613,046 clients nationwide.

Individuals in crisis situations refer to those who experienced shock or trauma, producing mental, psychological, and physical distress.

“If these individuals are unable to cope, they feel helpless and desperate. They should receive help from the government,” DSWD OIC Emmanuel A. Leyco said.

“Those in need of emergency assistance may seek help from the Department through the AICS program, which serves as an immediate response or a social safety net to support the recovery of families and individuals from unexpected crisis such as illness or death of a family member, natural and human-induced emergencies, and other critical incidents,” OIC Leyco explained.

Under AICS, the DSWD provides educational, medical, transportation and burial assistance to persons or families in crisis situations, especially those who are poor, marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged.

Aside from financial assistance, they could also avail of counseling provided by social workers from local government units and field offices of the DSWD. ###