Last December, in the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper, AMRRIC provided immediate support to Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council. This year in mid May, the team will be recognised for their heroic efforts and will get to share their experiences at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health (NATSIEH) Conference.
Last December, in the aftermath of Cyclone Jasper, AMRRIC provided immediate support to Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council. This year in mid May, the team will be recognised for their heroic efforts and will get to share their experiences at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Environmental Health (NATSIEH) Conference.
The devastating event, which was the wettest tropical cyclone in Australian history, resulted in floods that forced residents to evacuate by helicopter. Heartbreakingly, this meant leaving their beloved animals behind.
AMRRIC’s support in this time was in the form of first aid supplies, veterinary telemedicine support, securing donated long-acting antiparasitic treatments and funding direct assistance on the ground via Project Officer/Vet Nurse Helen, who lived locally.
Helen worked tirelessly alongside Wujal Wujal’s Animal Management Worker Nikki. The team of two made sure that the animals were well fed, watered, medicated and entertained while accommodation arrangements were made for their owners. This was all despite a lot of logistical challenges: destroyed roads, weeks without power or running water, and the team’s own properties being impacted!
Many nonprofits and organisations assisted during this time by supplying food and medications. MSD, a long-term supporter of AMRRIC, directly donated $3,000 worth of antiparasitic treatments that we were able to supply to Wujal.
During this time, AMRRIC also acted as an advocacy body for animal management response to be regarded an essential service. A big thanks to @Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council for supporting this sentiment, and making sure the Wujal pets are cared for in a time of crisis.
Cape York Weekly has recently celebrated the awesome efforts by the team during the emergency response and their upcoming presentation at NATSIEH, with a great interview from Nikki. We send our congratulations to Nikki for her well-earned recognition, and we can’t wait to co-present with you very soon!
