Volunteering In disaster zones
Once again Indonesia has been struck by a catastrophic event,
leaving many dead and many more injured. This time the disaster
zone is just a day’s drive, or a few hours flight from
our fair shores, but just in case you are tempted to run to
the aid of these poor people, think again. Many volunteers
come to grief themselves when working in such areas, and strict
precautions should be taken when going to post-disaster stricken
areas. It is the first and foremost golden rule in any first-aid
situation (and let’s face it, disaster aid is just a
great big first-aid task whether you’re shoveling mud
or working in an operating theatre), to look after yourself
before you give aid to anyone else. Communicable disease following
a natural disaster is the biggest threat to survivors and
workers alike. All normal water and sanitation systems shut
down, waste including corpses and affluent begin to rot and
disease carrying insects such as mosquitoes and flies are
rife. Most well organized NGO’s will have strict guidelines
as to who may or may not go to ground zero in these circumstances,
and will provide adequate prophylactic medication and information
to those on their teams. Here are some guidelines for anyone
who may be considering Jogja as their next port of call.
Make sure that you are in good general health. Any one suffering
from the following conditions should not go to post-disaster
areas.
• Those who suffer from chronic
disease such as diabetes, epilepsy, moderate to severe asthma.
• Immuno-compromised people
suffering from diseases such as HIV, chronic blood disorders
etc.
• Anyone who is considered emotionally
or mentally unstable.
• Pregnant women (pregnant women
are more likely to contract malaria and will get a more severe
form of the disease).
Vaccinations recommended for post-disaster areas
would be:
• Tetanus – full course
or booster depending on your status.
• Hepatitis A & B - full
course or booster depending on your status. The usual recommended
course spans a 6 – 12 month period, however fast-track
courses can be completed in one month.
• Typhoid Fever – Single
shot
• Japanese Encephalitis - full
course or booster depending on your status.
• Rabies - full course or booster
depending on your status.
• Tuberculosis – one single
shot after TB free status is confirmed on mantoux.
Don’t forget that most
vaccines do not give you full protection until at least one
month after the start of the course. No vaccine gives 100%
protection (most 70% - 90% efficacy).
Malaria prophylactics are essential. I usually recommend Doxycycline
as it has the least side effects and reaches a therapeutic
level only 2 days after the start of the course. Other drugs
can take up to 2 weeks to be effective. The suggested dose
is 100 mg daily. You should commence taking the drug 2 days
before entering a malaria risk zone, and continue for 2 weeks
after leaving the area. (This drug should not be taken by
children under 8 years of age, as it may affect tooth development).
If you are taking Doxycycline, you should wear a good sunscreen
while in direct sunlight, as this drug can cause sun sensitivity.
Insects, particularly mosquitoes, can spread a myriad of diseases
such as Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, and Dengue fever.
The best prevention is to avoid being bitten.
•
Wear long sleeved loose cotton clothes, and apply a personal
insect repellant containing DEET 30-40%, every 4 hours. If
you are using a sunscreen, apply your insect repellant last.
Remember to re-apply your repellant after bathing.
•
Avoid the use of dark clothing and perfumes/colognes as these
all attract mosquitoes.
•
Spray your room or tent with a good “knock down”
spray, each evening at dusk, and before sleeping.
If all this sounds too much for you or you have a condition
that will not allow you to travel to the intensive post disaster
scene, and you still feel that you would like to help, contact
organizations that are involved and volunteer as a ‘long
distance aide’. There is plenty to do in fields such
as administration, accounting, planning and logistics that
you can probably do from your own home.
“Kim Patra is a qualified Registered Nurse and Midwife
that has been living and working in Bali for almost twenty
years. She now runs her own private practice and medical referral
service from her Kuta office. Kim is happy to discuss any
health concerns with you and she may be contacted via e-mail
at info@chcbali.com”.
