Wet conditions are expected to continue for at least the rest of February and consequently the coastal and inland and near inland areas from Charity to Skeldon will be affected, an advisory from the Guyana Citizens Initiative (GCI) said.
The GCI has also recommended a number of measures so citizens can better cope with the current flooding of poorly drained yards and communities brought on by the steady rainfall and high tides.
Leptospirosis
The risk of leptospirosis can be greatly reduced if individuals do not go swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine.
According to the advisory, protective clothing and footwear should be worn by those exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or recreational activities.
First Aid supplies
The GCI also recommended that first aid supplies should be kept in a waterproof metal or plastic container and all medicines must be tightly capped.
The advisory recommended that the first aid supplies should include: Antibiotic ointment; antiseptic solution; adhesive tape; aspirin; bandages; cotton balls; diarrhoea medication; eye medication; ice pack; isopropyl alcohol; laxatives; medicine dropper; motion sickness tablets for nausea; petroleum jelly; and prescription medicines. In addition there should also be a pair of scissors, smelling salts; toothache remedy; a thermometer and tweezers.
The GCI also looked at the matter of garbage disposal, noting that this is a problem at the best of times but in flood conditions it assumes crisis proportions.
According to the GCI, there were ten lessons which were learnt by the East Coast Cleanup Committees from the 2005 floods.
In that light, local volunteers should be responsible for assessing needs and dispensing all materials and they should work in teams in public areas.
In addition, volunteer teams should co-ordinate with the movement of trucks moving contaminated flood-related garbage out of the area and all persons exposed to garbage must wear protective clothing.
It is also recommended that committee members and residents meet frequently and residents be kept informed by printed copies of updates, use of megaphone announcements and telephone calls.
Keeping in touch with the Citizens Initiative is also important, and expertise or resources offered to communities should support rather than direct community organization.
If more information is required on contingency planning for flooding, persons should contact the Civil Defence Commission on telephone numbers 226-8815 or 226-1027; or the Guyana Citizens Initiative on 227-5523 or 227-5524.
