Assessment Report for Grenada
20-24 September
A PAHO/CEHI team conducted an assessment of the emergency
situation in Grenada, 20-24 September, mainly in the area of environmental
health needs. The EH situation in Grenada and the action plan which
are being envisaged are outlined below:
Water Supply
Running water has returned to at least 80% of the population,
and the Ministry of Health and NAWASA (as well as others) are being
vigilant about maintaining a high chlorine residual in the distribution
system. No outbreaks of any water-borne or water-related diseases have
been reported or are evident. Major needs now relate to continued supply
of disinfectants and monitoring of the water quality, and in consideration
that the NAWASA HQ, including its Water Quality Lab was seriously damaged.
In this regard, assistance with laboratory consumables and equipment
is urgently needed. To that, consideration is being given by PAHO to
provide the most needed equipment and other critical supplies for improvement
of the water quality.
Sewage Disposal
The assessment did not reveal any major problem with wastewater
disposal. In fact, most of the houses in Grenada use on-site system
for sewage disposal, and it is only part of St George’s parish
which is sewered. However, there was no evidence of overflowing of sewage
in the streets during the assessment. In any case, all the four sewage
plants operated by NAWASA are now operational. Also, the need for supply
Grenada with emergency pit latrines could not be substantiated.
Waste Management
As the result of the hurricane, clay roof tiles, asbestos
roof sheets, galvanized metal roofing, electricity and telephone cables,
concrete, trees, wood and other green waste are all scattered all over
Grenada representing serious health and environmental health hazards.
To dispose of these debris ( mainly storage until decision is taken
and strategies are define to reduce, treat and dispose of these materials,
temporary sites must be identified and established as storage sites.
To the end, five temporary sites have been identified in coordination
with OXFAM and other NGOs to remove the debris from public access. It
has been therefore established that to operate these sites, additional
landfill equipment and supervisory personnel will be needed. Funds are
being mobilized to that purpose. PAHO will contribute some funds to
facilitate the mobilization for one month of the extra human resources
needed.
Meanwhile, risk of injuries from the debris and particularly
from the galvanized sheets which are scattered all over are real. For
that, the communities must be called onto action to stack and tie the
loose galvanized sheets into pile while waiting that funding is secured
to make available the necessary equipment and logistic resources to
transport the debris to the selected sites. It is recommended that the
communities be informed through appropriate messages (using loud speakers)
to be elaborated by the relevant agency of the Ministry of Health.
Several of the buildings which had collapsed had their
roof made in asbestos materials. The conditions of those buildings are
to be assessed urgently and action to be initiated to dispose immediately
of the asbestos related debris, in accordance with the proper disposal
procedures.
Vector Control
Many of the storm drains are clogged and presenting undesirable
mosquito breeding sites. The presence of debris, trees, roof sheets,
roof tiles and concrete material raise significantly the risk of creating
additional breeding sites. There will be needed a considerable amount
of insecticide to control the population of mosquitoes in the near future.
Cleaning of storm drains are to be kicked off as soon as possible. The
assessment of drains and measurement of kilometers of those needed cleaning
must be carry out immediately in order to estimate the cost for the
cleaning and to mobilize the necessary resources for the cleaning.
Fortunately, fogging equipment and supplies for at least
six months are being procured by PAHO to be sent to Grenada. When this
consignment is received, the Ministry of health should be able to control
the larvae and adult population of mosquitoes which Grenada is expected
to face in the months to come.
Shelter Management
Post Disaster environmental health surveillance is required.
The EH conditions in the shelters are not yet under control. The preliminary
assessment indicates no significant problem in the area of excreta disposal.
However, general cleanliness of the shelters leaves something to be
desired. Risk of infestation of mosquitoes, rats, flies and cockroaches
are present. Assistance to facilitate Assistance to facilitate organization
and promotion of health awareness issues like food safety, garbage disposal,
and maintenance of toilets is urgently required in all the major shelters.
Presence of EHOs to work with the designated shelter managers is necessary.
Other Recommendations
In the distribution of relief assistance, it is necessary
that special attention be paid to people living in shelters. Particularly
all should be done to lessen the pressure in the shelters by facilitating
that people return home to resume normal life. Many of the people actually
in shelters are ready to go back home if they were provided with tarpaulin
for protection against sun and rain; and some of them are in the shelters
only because of opportunity to be fed. Visit by mobile clinics and counseling
services should be instituted as soon as possible in order to reduce
other health consequences which are not all apparent.
