“This is the most neglected relief effort,” said Dr. Kim April Pascual, Chief Operating Officer of Operation Blessing Philippines, of the recent peace crisis in the South. “People should know how to do it.”

Mindanao has seen a flood of generosity this year. Families were fed, houses were rebuilt, and thousands of relief goods were distributed as fighting ensued between government soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels.

But dealing with the unseen wounds of trauma among displaced victims left much to be desired.

Operation Blessing took note of the scant efforts and conducted a trauma debriefing training last October 16 and 17 at the Lanao del Sur provincial capitol in Marawi City as part of its disaster relief mission to the Lanao provinces.

It partnered with Asia America Initiative (AAI), an organization dedicated to advocating peace through education and community development in conflict areas.

“We saw the need to instill positive mindset and energy in affected communities through building hope and listening to people’s pain caused by war and other crises,” said Rohaniza Sumndad, Philippine director of AAI.

There were more than 80 training participants, representing various sectors from Lanao and Marawi City, including the women, youth, LGUs, NGOs, the academe, faith-based groups and the military.

Training facilitator and professional counselor Meg Alag taught the participants the concepts and intricacies behind trauma debriefing. They formed discussion groups and did role-playing as a way of putting theories into practice.

More than just mere counseling, a debriefing is an initial or interim support system designed to release emotions, bring closure to a traumatic event, and facilitate a person’s return to normalcy.

In Alag’s experience, emotional first aid is the most difficult aspect to mobilize during disasters. Nevertheless, it is an integral factor in providing holistic relief.

“This is one of the things communities and groups must focus on, especially in a country ridden with disasters,” she said. “In the long run, we will see fewer cases of people deeply wounded by trauma.”

Alag has previously trained debriefers in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte and Midsayap, North Cotabato – towns severely affected by the armed conflict.

“All we can hear is rapid gunfire surrounding us,” training participant Edgar Trance Jr. recalled. The only thing he and his family could do is lie flat on the floor – afraid they’ll be hit by stray bullets.

The 38-year-old pastor from Kolambugan, Lanao del Norte had attended the training in Marawi.

Kolambugan made it to the news headlines when the MILF attacked its town proper last August 18. Months have passed, but memories of violence and chaos remain vivid for Pastor Edgar and his family.

As they fled to the nearest evacuation site, he saw the fresh trail of death and destruction left by the rebels. A military convoy was ambushed just a few meters from their church. Houses, schools and business establishments were torched to the ground. Residents were hostaged by rebels to be used as human shield against the soldiers.

However traumatizing his experience was, Pastor Edgar chose not to be a victim. Days later he volunteered to help in relief operations in Kolambugan’s evacuation centers.