GlobalMedic's RRT team in the Philippines
Rahul Singh
Philippines Update #3
Global Medic has a 5 person Rapid Response Team running a disaster response mission in Daraga, Philippines. The team has a medical and water purification mandate. Over a million people have been affected by Typhoon Durian included a thousand killed and over a hundred thousand displaced.
A second Typhoon swept through the area creating havoc and isolating devastated communities. The team had to restrict operations for 12 hours due to evacuation orders but is back in full operation.
The water team has established a main water station in the city of Daraga. The city was devastated by mudslides triggered by the heavy rains of Typhoon Durian. The main water depot provides civilians with
access to clean drinking water. The main unit has
The capacity to pump 100 litres of water every minute of operation. Trucks loaded with bladders enter the depot for filling while local residents line up to receive water, be fed, or receive an allotment of milk for their children.
Global Medic team members man makeshift rescue vehicles that ferry bladders out to affected populations. Water is delivered while medics treat patients as needed. Rescue gear and stretchers are on hand in the event that a serious casualty requires urgent care and transport.
Mobile team members install portable water purification systems in isolated areas to ensure access to water.
Several reports of acute watery diarrheas and cholera are appearing. Fears of a pending outbreak are prevalent. Global Medic's medical team is carrying enough medication to treat thousands in the event of an outbreak. Hopefully, our wide spread distribution of over a million water purification tablets and provision of clean water will curtail any outbreaks.
Members of the media wishing to contact the team can email Rahul Singh at rsingh@dmgf.org or try his mobile phone at 011639286256380.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
