Ensuring safe water sources for people in flood-affected areas

This contribution will help provide approximately 15 million liters of clean water, ensuring safe drinking water for many days, for households and use in medical facilities in the eight most severely affected provinces and cities: Bac Giang, Cao Bang, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen and Yen Bai .

According to Dr. Angela Pratt, WHO Representative in Vietnam, clean water is very important to help prevent waterborne and foodborne diseases, help health facilities continue to operate safely and maintain patient care.

WHO recommends: After storms, ensure a safe water source, use bottled drinking water, or if conditions permit, boil water for at least 1 minute.

To prevent common gastrointestinal diseases caused by unsafe water and food (diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid fever, hepatitis A), the Ministry of Health advises people to ensure environmental and personal hygiene; to cook food thoroughly and boil water to ensure food safety; to ensure access to clean water for drinking and daily activities; to wash hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet; and to properly dispose of waste.

The Ministry of Health provides 3 steps to treat drinking water during storms and floods:

1. Clean the water with alum or cloth (photo)

2. Disinfect with Cloramin B or disinfectant products as instructed by the medical facility.

3. Boil disinfected water; then use it for drinking.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dam-bao-nguon-nuoc-an-toan-cho-nguoi-dan-vung-bao-lu-185240914212015126.htm