As this edition goes to press, Red Cross volunteers are still reaching out to the most remote districts along the Eastern Coast of Vanua Levu to carry assessments and provide initial relief. For our relief teams, the biggest challenge is on the ground communications. Most areas are still without normal communications access and our teams have kept in touch through the use of satellite phones.
As volunteers conducting initial assessments return to their respective Branches in the Northern Division, Health Awareness teams are being deployed to the identified Typhoid "Hot Spot" areas.
Our Health & Care Coordinator Marica Kepa has held briefings with Ministry of Health officials in Macuata and Cakaudrove including the Divisional Medical Officer for in the Northern Division regarding post TC Tomas health and hygiene aware programmes.
In coordination with the Ministry of Health, our volunteers are going into the affected communities raising awareness of Typhoid. Over 1.000 hygiene and hand washing promotion kits, 3,000 antibacterial soaps and 400 first aid kits are being distributed in joint campaigns in Macuata, Cakaudrove, Lomaiviti and Lau province.
Volunteers are also taking the time to share with recipients the water purification tablets proper usage. This awareness is held in concurrent with the distribution of over 16,000 water purification tablets (1:10L) with water containers. All water purification tablets distributed by FRCS relief and health teams have translated (2 vernaculars) instructions with 10L collapsible water containers.
Red Cross has assisted 6,800 people. All relief items distributed by FRCS volunteers include essential disaster survival information posters, health and hygiene and reproduction health pamphlets and in applicable settings, condoms.