1 May 2014
Australia Works with Red Cross to Deliver Clean Water to Communities
Australia is working with NGOs to help communities affected by floods in rural Guadalcanal.
On Wednesday 1 May, Australian High Commissioner, Andrew Byrne, Minister Counsellor Development, Sue Connell and Australian High Commission staff travelled with Red Cross to Vasakiki in East Guadalcanal.
The team delivered 4,000 litres of much-needed clean water to the community. During the floods Vasakiki’s bore was inundated, ruining the only safe water supply for its 1000 residents. The Red Cross team cleaned out an existing water tank before filling it with the new fresh water.
“If Red Cross and Australia had not have delivered this clean water, we would still be drinking from the contaminated dug out well”, said resident Rick Saoro.
“We are very appreciative of the support from Red Cross and the Australian Government. They have provided us with supplies and most importantly clean water following the floods.”
The clean water was produced using an Australian funded portable water system in Tetere which uses ultraviolet light as well as sediment and carbon filters to treat the water.
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