Kawerak Inc.’s Environmental Program sent Oil Spill Response kits to 15 Bering Strait Region villages this week. The kits, originally purchased for oil spill response, have now become essential for COVID-19 preparedness at community clinics.
Due to the increased ship traffic and opening of the ocean, oil spill response in our communities is critical. Many day tank oil spills have already occurred, and the Kawerak Board of Directors determined carryover funding should be utilized to purchase these oil spill response kits.
The kits were scheduled to be sent to the villages when the ice melts, but delivery was expedited so community clinics could utilize the personal protective equipment including Tyvec suits, goggles, and rubber gloves. Many thanks to Kawerak’s Environmental Coordinator Vanessa Tahbone (pictured) and Charlene Saclamana, Kawerak’s Emergency Preparedness Specialist for getting the kits out. Although COVID-19 has fortunately not made it to the Bering Strait Region to date, our communities must take action now to be prepared. In addition to completing Small Community Emergency Response Plans (SCERP), travel bans, disaster declarations, MOA/MOUs for quarantine facilities, and Community Assessments, gathering resources for the community is another essential step.
Protecting our region, people and resources are Kawerak’s priority. We are grateful for the hard work of our communities whether it is by staying home social distancing, hand washing, helping an Elder with shopping, hunting for one another, making community decisions, getting paperwork completed, or providing food or education to our children, everyone is doing their part. We want to recognize and appreciate Tribal, city and corporation leadership, dedicated staff like Kawerak’s Tribal Coordinators and NSHC Health Aides alongside organizations like Kawerak and Norton Sound Health Corporation for banding together to protect our region.
