Two Var residents on a humanitarian mission on their way to Mayotte

The first aid company, the White Crossmobilized a group of ten volunteers for a humanitarian mission to Mayotteaccording to Var-matin. Among them, two Var residents from the Arcs-sur-Argens branch are preparing to provide assistance to the inhabitants of the island, hard hit by the Cyclone Desire in December and A storm is brewing in January.

More than 800 kg of material

Thursday evening, the volunteers loaded more than 800 kg of equipment, essential for their mission. “We meet with the other volunteers of the team at noon on Friday, to then be able to drop off the equipment, which leaves by civilian freight on Sunday,” explained Loïc Bargibant, team leader of the White Cross based in Arcs-sur- Argens.

The departure took place on Saturday at 1:45 p.m., direction Reunion, before being deployed to Mayotte. “There are ten White Cross volunteers leaving,” Loïc Bargibant told our colleagues. At his side, Pascal Mondello, 67, a volunteer for two years, is also ready for this mission. “This is my first mission to help the population a long distance from home,” he confides enthusiastically.

Total autonomy and water purification

To avoid being an additional burden, volunteers leave completely independently for two weeks. They take rations, tents, showers and chemical toilets.

A water purification kit, divided into three trunks, is the highlight of their equipment. Once running, it can produce 1,500 liters per hour, and even make drinking water from sludge.

The strategy is clear: settle in one place, allow the Mahorais to resupply themselves with drinking water, then change sector to help other inhabitants. New generators will also be left on site after operations.

Call for donations

The White Cross has set up a fund to finance the actions of volunteers in Mayotte. The federation will take stock after two weeks to decide whether a replacement will be put in place.

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