THE United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is working closely with the Ministry of Youth and Sports’ rehabilitation work on Koro Island by sending technical experts to help in debris cleaning and waste management.
Swedish Civil Contingency Agency representatives Faisal Radwan and Tova Anderson have worked with the ministry and conducted the first phase of cleaning in four villages.
“We are funded and sent by the Swedish Government to work under UNDP to support the technical side of debris clearing and waste management work regarding Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston recovery,” Mr Radwan said.
“We are working in support of the youths from the ministry who are on the island helping the villagers clear what was left behind by the natural disaster.
“UNDP also provided training before we started and we basically tell them what is the sequence of the work and how important it is to wear the protective gear for their personal hygiene and safety.
“We also provide them with the basic tools like wheelbarrows, shovels and wire-cutters to help ease the workload.”
Ms Anderson added the positive response from the villagers had made the work progress faster.
“Even the women are helping out clearing their communities, carrying the same heavy load as the men so we saw how they were eager to rebuild their lives.”
