By Glenda Willie - Daily Post Newspaper - Jul 16,2021
Two schools on Mota Island had no choice but to close their doors last week, due to escalating water crisis on the island. This is due to drought conditions they have been experiencing.
As of Friday, last week the Provincial Emergency Operation Centre (PEOC) activated it operations in response to water shortage situation. At least 572 people are currently being affected by the water scarcity.
Mr Pita Maho, President of Red Cross Torba branch Office was part of a team that was deployed to Mota Island. A team was deployed to the eastern part of the island while the second team went to the west of Mota. They conducted a rapid assessment on the current situation, particularly, on health, water and food. Mr. Maho confirmed their findings revealed that all water tanks and other water sources and catchments were empty.
Currently the villagers are sourcing their water from creeks. The situation had allowed them to find other ways to preserve remaining water from the creeks.
Water scarcity has also forced the communities to find alternatives to help them survive. Water is not the only problem they are facing.
Their crops cannot grow well due to the dry season they are going through. Currently families have reduced their meals from three times to two in a day.
Red Cross distributed water to teachers of Vasalele Primary School and Gamaral Primary School as teachers prepared home school packages for the students.
The Red Cross Torba branch president said the situation requires urgent response from provincial government as well as the government.
He urged families on the island to always boil their water prior to drinking. An appeal is being made to kava drinkers to reduce their consumption of kava. Maho also asked of the communities to cut down on gatherings and feasts to save food and water.