GENDER OMBUD REPORT 2016 is also an issue as toilets in evacuation centers often have no locks; in some cases, the toilets only have curtains separating them from the public area. There have also been reports that women and children experience sexual abuse and harassment in the evacuation centers. Cases of abuse of women by their spouses or partner, including physical violence and rape, were also documented. 3. VULNERABILITY TO TRAFFICKING: Displacement from their communities and destruction of their places of work resulted to loss of livelihoods and income sources. This happened after Typhoon Yolanda and the Zamboanga Siege. Women become more vulnerable to human trafficking and prostitution as they are lured by traffickers with promises of work. In Region V, it was observed that the number of trafficking cases and prostitution of women and girls occurred in the periods following disasters or armed encounters. 4. FOOD SECURITY: Food becomes scarce during disasters, either because families cannot afford to buy them or they have been geographically isolated from food sources. Incidents of hunger become more pronounced when government aid is delayed, especially in bringing food supplies to remote areas. Women often go hungry in these times as they give priority to feeding their family members. 5. HEALTH: There is lack of health services catering to the specific needs of women, children, sick people, and the elderly in evacuation centers. Reproductive health services are often least prioritized in these situations. 6. PSYCHOSOCIAL SERVICES: Disasters impact both the physical and mental health of people, but often health services in evacuation centers are focused on medical treatment, neglecting psychosocial interventions. This was 24 the observation after Typhoon Yolanda and the Zamboanga Siege. In the latter, there were also reports of increased drug use in evacuation centers. 7. SHELTER: The need for shelter is not adequately addressed. Displaced families often find themselves in school classrooms along with other families. Males and females are mixed. There are no adequate facilities for sanitation and other amenities for decent living. When there are housing programs, the identification of beneficiaries are often delayed and, at times, do not consider the vulnerabilities of certain populations or families in the selection process. 8. WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE: Gender-specific sanitation needs of women (e.g. sanitary napkins and underwear) are often neglected in relief provisions. When evacuation center lacks proper hygiene, pregnant women become more vulnerable to illnesses putting her and her baby’s health at risk. 9. THE CHILDREN ALSO SUFFER FROM SPECIFIC VULNERABILITIES: Disruption of their schooling, and increased vulnerability to trafficking, child labor and prostitution are pressing issues. In areas of armed conflict, children are reportedly recruited as combatants. The presence of military detachments near schools also led to violations of internatonal humanitarian law (schools as zones of peace).