Kantarawaddy Times
All health services under the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been suspended, including the Environment Health (EH) program operating in Karenni Refugee Camp (1), said an EH supervisor to Kantarawaddy Times on January 28.
The Environment Health Program, directly supported by IRC, consists of six sub-sectors. Some staff members will continue to work as volunteers to maintain critical services such as water distribution and waste management systems.
The six sub-sectors include Pipe Line Team (Pipeline installation team), Construction and Stove Making Team, School EH and EH Volunteers, Soap Production Team, Vector Control and Garbage Collection (VG Team – Disease control and sanitation), and Chlorine Team (Chlorination).
The suspension of services provided to the public may cause difficulties for financially struggling families in the camp. For now, volunteers will manage to prevent water shortages.
“If there’s no EH (Environmental Health) anymore, we could face water issues. Once the summer season arrives, it could get worse. And then, the garbage will increase. When the previous EH used to collect it, even the garbage wasn’t piling up. If that doesn’t happen, it will only get worse,” said Khue Fre, who lives at the camp.
In Karenni Refugee Camp No. 1, the IRC has suspended all health-related services for 90 days. Depending on future developments, the Environment Health program will seek ways to continue its operations.