Skin disease strikes as water woes continues

Lack of access to fresh portable water remains a major problem for the villagers of Imaru on Tanna Island where it is now reported that villagers are being affected by a severe skin disease

which has emerged and is spreading through the village.

So far the skin disease is the only health problem affecting the people in the village as a result of the water shortage affecting the people of Imaru village.

Abraham Tevi, a water officer on Tanna reported that many of the villagers including children are affected with this skin disease.

He said the school continues to operate but they had to travel many kilometers to a nearby village to access water when the pool of water runs dry.

Mr. Tevi reported that there are also other villages on the island of Tanna that are struggling to access fresh water but for Imaru the situation has gone from bad to worse given that they lack any proper water system and furthermore do not have any water tanks in their area.

The people of Imaru village have been depending for so long on a nearby pool which is being fed by an underground stream for consumption, washing and swimming.

However, with the recent passing of the TC Pam and climate change phenomenon as well as population increase in the area, this pool is now no longer sufficient to meet the need of the village.

Mr. Tevi said he is worried that the people could suffer future health problems due to the unhygienic state of the water.

He said some of the villagers drink the water without precautions of boiling first for safer consumption.