Volunteers encouraged to join Red Cross Zika prevention efforts

The Red Cross of Antigua and Barbuda is calling on volunteers to join its Zika prevention efforts on Saturday through the Villa community clean-up.
Collan Moore, acting Zika coordinator for the humanitarian group told OBSERVER media yesterday that residents and community groups are being encouraged to meet the clean-up team outside Hells Gate Steel Orchestra pan yard for the 9 a.m. start.
“It is not just a Red Cross or political party thing, we want the community to see that it is about them and the Red Cross is there to help. We would be very grateful to have as many community groups as possible,” Moore said yesterday.
This is the third clean-up of its kind that has been coordinated by the Red Cross following the passage of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Skerritts Pasture, Sea View Farm, and Parham communities have already benefitted from the tidying up campaigns.
The community clean-ups are geared at eradicating the breeding grounds of disease-carrying mosquitoes and is part of the Caribbean’s response to Zika prevention throughout the islands.
A large garbage dump will be placed on Bay Street in Villa and residents are being encouraged to clean up their surroundings by removing debris and small appliances that can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Householders are asked to put pots, crates, bottle, tyres, and small electrical appliances to include fans, toaster and microwave ovens outside their yards. However, bulky household items such as refrigerators, TVs, furniture and mattresses should not be placed in the garbage skip.
Over the weekend the Parham community was targeted.
“We partnered with the St. Anthony’s Secondary School and we also had representatives of the Antigua Barbuda Labour Party and the caretaker of the United Progressive Party for the area,” Moore said. “We also had firm commitments of assistance from several groups in the Villa communities.”