Friday marks the start of the weekend in Bangladesh, and this last week has been a busy one for all the MOAS team. The tides outside our seafront compound proved to be ideal for flood access training and 16 staff – ranging from doctors to support staff, and from pharmacists to nurses – took part in two days of training.
The training reinforces the commitment of MOAS to provide emergency healthcare to those who need it in the refugee camps of Bangladesh, even in the most adverse of conditions. “The training and equipment we have received will allow us to continue business as usual”, explained Paul Chamberlain, MOAS Logistics Director. “This is not about providing anything special, but giving our team the skills and equipment to cross flooded areas to continue providing the medical services they give every day”.
The training has followed global best practice and will allow the team to cross areas of flooded ground and, if necessary, recover and move people to the MOAS Aid Stations in Unchiprang and Shamlapur for further treatment. Now that 16 team members have received this vital training, we are able, if needed, to deploy teams in both Shamlapur and Unchiprang to help better serve the communities in which we work.
MOAS has been deeply concerned about the upcoming monsoon season since our arrival in Bangladesh. We have now provided primary healthcare to over 55,000 children, women and men through our two Aid Stations, and are determined to continue providing emergency care to those in need. Drawing on the extensive experience and knowledge base within the organisation, we are glad that we have been able to provide the team with the skills and equipment to continue working safely in what will become a very difficult time for aid agencies and those living in the camps.
This has only been possible with the support of our community of donors and supporters, who contributed so generously to our recent Cyclone and Monsoon Appeal.
You can find out more about how aid agencies are preparing for the extreme weather in our podcast, or read about how the monsoons will affect refugees here. You can support our work in Bangladesh by donating here, or fundraise with friends to become a part of our activist community. You can also receive regular updates by signing up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page or following us on social media.