RAHI/NDDC EMERGENCY RELIEF/FREE MEDICAL SERVICES REPORT
INTRODUCTION
In the early hours of Monday, 16th January, 2012, the people of Koluama communities and environs were woken by massive explosion from the K.S. Endeavor (Panama) Rig. The explosion resulted to huge gas fire and massive spill. This led to emergency condition exposing them to numerous health and environmental hazards.
It is on this note that RAHI Medical Outreach partnered with the Niger delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the provision of Emergency Relief Services in the impacted communities.
PART ONE: LIST OF IMPACTED COMMUNITIES
•Koluama I
•Koluama II
•Letugbene I
•Letugbene II
•Bonny
•Okrika
PART TWO: OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL RELIEF SERVICEES
Natural and human-caused disasters disproportionately affect the lives of the poor.
RAHI Medical Outreach aimed to ensure that the disaster affected populations are at least able to meet their basic needs and live a life with dignity.
Our overall socio-economic goal is to restore and strengthen the pre-disaster capacities of the people affected by the Chevron gas explosion.
HEALTH OBJECTIVES OF THE EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAMME
Prevention of morbidity and mortality
Ø Provision of care for causalities
Ø Restoration of normal health when necessary
Ø Psychosocial services.
PART THREE: ITEMS DISTRIBUTED TO THE SIX COMMUNITIES
ITEM & QUANTITY
1.INSECTICIDES
190pkts of 12 tins x 6= 1140litres
2.MOSQUITOES
5500 x 6= 33000
3.MEDICATIONS
(ACTS FOR PATIENTS)
5000 x 6=30000
4.ORT SACHETS FOR CHILDREN
2000units x 6= 12000 units
5.IEC MATERIALS, CAPS, T-SHIRTS, POSTERS etc
500 x 6=3000pieces.
6.BUCKETS (PLASTICS AND METAL SIZE)
4000 x 6==24000pieces
5.BLANKETS
5000pieces x 6=30000
8.PORTABLE WATER
4000litres x 6=24000 liters
9.BAGS OF RICE
500bags x 6=3000 bags
10.BAGS OF BEANS
60 big bags x 6=360 bags
11.BOTTLES OF GROUNDNUT OIL
157 cartons x 6 = 942 liters
12.KEROSENE
100 liters x 6 =600 liters
13.TWO LIFE COWS PER CENTRE
2 X 6 = 12 cows
14.BAGS OF GARRI
310 bags x 6 =1860 bags
15.LONG LASTING INSECTICIDE TREATED NETS
2000 x 6 = 12,000
16.TENTS FOR REFUGEES
2000 x 6 = 12,000
17.PALM OIL
500 tins x 6 = 3000 liters
18.CARTONS OF CROAKER FISH
50 cartons x 6 = 300 cartons
PART FOUR: SCOPE AND ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT
A team of eighty (80) personnel’s including doctors, nurses, public health experts etc. The team was divided into six with each team operating in a community simultaneously. The flag-off was however held in Koluama 1.
During this project, relief items were provided to a total of six communities affected by the Chevron gas explosion disaster.
The relief items were packaged into food and non-food items that can sustain immediate needs of household comprising 6-7 members.
Non-Food Activities
Preventive Healthcare
During this session, basic preventive healthcare interactions including control and treatment of diarrhea diseases, treatment of acute respiratory infections, treatment and prevention of malaria, etc
This session was carried out by RAHI team of Public Health Nurses.
Out Patient Clinic
RAHI Medical team was able to run an out-patient clinic where members of the communities where attended to. Various ailments were managed. Majority of the people presented an account of respiratory tracts infections, Gastroenteritis, Musculoskeletal pains etc.
Food activities
The food items were packaged into mini packs and each head of household presented with a pack containing all items. The items presented includes fresh croaker fish, palm oil, groundnut oil, beans, rice, garri etc
Flag-Off of Distribution
The flag-off was done at Koluama I. The Managing Director of NDDC (Dr Christian Oboh) was represented by the Bayelsa State commissioner to members of the community.
This was carried out simultaneously in all the communities according to the work plan designed by RAHI Medical Outreach.
lessons learnt:
•Movement of men and materials, (food items and drugs) was laborious bearing in mind the huge cost of water transportation.
•Lack of basic health care services.
•Absence of basic social amenities especially water due to the gas explosion
•Highly prone to infections especially respiratory tract infections and gastrointestinal tract infections as a result of pollution in the air by the gas explosion.
RECOMMENDATION:
•There is need for NDDC to set up a reverse osmosis treatment plant in the communities affected towards the provision of portable water.
•NDDC should as a matter of urgency provide RAHI Medical Outreach with a boat to enable her respond urgently to situations of complex emergency.
•There should be early release of funds devoid of any bureaucratic bottle neck to enable RAHI respond quickly.
CONCLUSION:
Taking a bold step to visit Koluama, was a novel event; following the President’s visit. Other affected communities like: Fun-Ama (Biabiri men), Abadiyou-Ama (Amatu), Lalawei-Creek (Letugbene Ekeremor) in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Bayelsa State; Ateikegbene, Eberiye, Asi-Gbene, Bra-Igbo in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State and Gbasemokumor-Gbene, Ekpebo-Gbene, Oroutubou in Warri Southwest Local Government Area, Delta State are still craving for such gesture.
Disaster affected population have a right to humanitarian assistance as enshrined in international law. RAHI Medical Outreach has a responsibility to meet the needs of disaster affected population. As the consultant to NDDC on Emergency Medical Relief Services it has a mandate to alleviate sufferings and to protect and promote human dignity in affected communities.
The NDDC/RAHI partnership was a welcome initiative and a huge success as it went along way in ameliorating the sufferings of the people in the affected communities.
