May 10, 2006
So, almost exactly a year after having to leave Uzbekistan, those of us on the upper Suriname river have been evacuated to the city.
The rains (and whatever else contributing) hit abnormally hard this year, and the water level in the river rose higher than the last recorded mark set in the late 1940s.
My village had three houses flooded and some people's gardens. Not too bad. However, other villages on the river did not have the good fortune to be on a hill. Several others were completely flooded, including one that a volunteer is leaving because his time in Peace Corps has come to a close. He lived in the back of the village, a few minute walk from the shore. Now, you can take a motor boat to his house. The village near me where two other volunteers live, Nieuw Aurora (or Tutu), has also been partially flooded. I helped clear out the school of books, papers, supplies. I also helped clear out some houses. In Gunsi, I helped those flooded there. A big concern is the health in the area with all that is being washed down into the river and creeks where people bathe. We're also concerned a little about food and drinking water for those villages fully flooded. In the long run, we're concerned with the loss of the gardens, where everyone grows what they need for the year. More immediately, there are reports of more rain coming in, which is common for this time of year, but with the current level of the river, it could make things worse. Already, many of the 60 something villages along the upper part of the river have been affected.
We arrived in the city late yesterday evening, went to the Red Cross here and reported on the situation on the ground along the river. We are hoping to work with them and the Crisis Corps in the city. I'd like to help along the river, but I will do what is needed and what the Peace Corps will allow.
So, almost exactly a year after having to leave Uzbekistan, those of us on the upper Suriname river have been evacuated to the city.
The rains (and whatever else contributing) hit abnormally hard this year, and the water level in the river rose higher than the last recorded mark set in the late 1940s.
My village had three houses flooded and some people's gardens. Not too bad. However, other villages on the river did not have the good fortune to be on a hill. Several others were completely flooded, including one that a volunteer is leaving because his time in Peace Corps has come to a close. He lived in the back of the village, a few minute walk from the shore. Now, you can take a motor boat to his house. The village near me where two other volunteers live, Nieuw Aurora (or Tutu), has also been partially flooded. I helped clear out the school of books, papers, supplies. I also helped clear out some houses. In Gunsi, I helped those flooded there. A big concern is the health in the area with all that is being washed down into the river and creeks where people bathe. We're also concerned a little about food and drinking water for those villages fully flooded. In the long run, we're concerned with the loss of the gardens, where everyone grows what they need for the year. More immediately, there are reports of more rain coming in, which is common for this time of year, but with the current level of the river, it could make things worse. Already, many of the 60 something villages along the upper part of the river have been affected.
We arrived in the city late yesterday evening, went to the Red Cross here and reported on the situation on the ground along the river. We are hoping to work with them and the Crisis Corps in the city. I'd like to help along the river, but I will do what is needed and what the Peace Corps will allow.
No comments:
Post a Comment