Australian Government assistance helps reduce typhoid threat in Naitasiri communities

14 May 2010

A partnership arrangement between the Australian High Commission and the Ministry of Health has helped reduce the threat of contracting typhoid for people in two rural communities in Naitasiri.

The two communities, Delaiwaimale village and Ilahabad settlement, have had a total of 16 water tanks installed recently, under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, with a S11,000 grant from the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program.

Eleven 2000-litre tanks have been installed at Ilahabad, an Indo-Fijian farming community, while five 5000-litre tanks have been installed at Delaiwaimale.

The project, which ensures access to safe drinking water, was coordinated by the Ministry of Health’s Health Inspector in Nausori, Ms Mereoni Sikinairai.

“The people of Delaiwaimale and Illahabad face water shortages every day. Over the years, they have had to rely on water from the nearby rivers for their cooking, bathing and washing,” Ms Sikinairai said.

“As a result, the threat of contracting typhoid is quite high. The new tanks which have been installed with Australian funding will contribute greatly to reducing that threat now that people in Delaiwaimale and Ilahabad have access to a safer water supply,” she said.

The partnership arrangement involved the two communities providing manpower o construct the base for each tank. They also purchased and installed their own roof guttering and downpipes to direct rainwater into the tanks.

Officials from the Australian High Commission were welcomed by people in the two communities when they visited Delaiwaimale and Ilahabad yesterday.
 

**ENDS**