Charity works to get menstrual products to Kashechewan First Nation evacuees
Limited access to clean water can lead to a higher risk of infection
A charity that delivers menstrual products to remote First Nations says it’s in talks with people in Kashechewan, following the community’s water crisis.
"For the evacuees we're able to supply menstrual products to wherever they're evacuated,” said Veronica Brown, the education director and Ontario chapter lead with Moon Time Connections.
“We did the same thing in the summer time when there were fire evacuees in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba."
On Jan. 4, Kashechewan Chief Hosea Wesley declared a state of emergency after the water treatment plant stopped working due to defective pumps, used to mix in the chemicals that treat the water.
Around 2,300 people live in the fly-in First Nation, located at the mouth of the Albany River near James Bay. Officials told CBC News that around 1,900 people have evacuated from the community since the chief declared a state of emergency.
Brown said a lack of access to clean water can lead to health issues for people who are in their menstrual cycle.
“There is increased chance of risk of getting different infections,” she said.
In serious cases, poor hygiene can lead to toxic shock syndrome, a rare complication from bacterial infections that can cause a high fever, low blood pressure and rashes.
Since 2017 Moon Time Connections has delivered more than 11 million period products to remote First Nations communities across Canada.
Tyson Wesley, Kashechewan’s executive director, told CBC News that by Wednesday 26 people from the community had tested positive for cryptosporidium.
The parasite causes gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea and stomach pain. It normally resolves itself on its own with proper rest and hydration. Antimicrobial treatment may be needed for immunocompromised people, young infants and seniors.
Indigenous Services Canada told CBC News the source of the cryptosporidium contamination remains unknown.
Tyson said water samples from the treatment plant were sent to a facility in southern Ontario’s Durham region. But results might not be available until Jan. 30.
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