SUMMER BEAVER, Ont. -- Nibinamik First Nation has declared a state of emergency because of a failing diesel generating system amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state of emergency came into effect on Wednesday night at 5 p.m.
“The approval processes to access supports to upgrade the diesel generator station, stabilizing power supply must be prioritized and streamlined,” the letter reads.
Chief and council explained the power outage is just one obstacle their response faces.
“Essential and necessary medical resources such as health care professionals (doctors and nurses), medical supplies, testing kits and personal protective equipment are inadequate to mount an appropriate response to the COVID-19 global pandemic,” Chief Sheldon Oskineegish and members of the band council wrote in a posting the declaration.
“The ability to mount a response is further impacted by the overcrowded housing, lack of isolation and assessment space, serious threat to food security and lack of reliable communication infrastructure. Frequent power outages being experienced on a daily basis have widespread impacts, creating serious and unmanageable risk for community members.”
An unreliable source of power puts those with existing life-threatening medical conditions at risk. The declaration also points out water and sanitization systems also require power to operate, and without it, homes in the community face potential sewage back-ups, not to mention a lack of water hygiene and cleaning.
The situation is also causing food security concerns in the community, located about 500 kilometres north of Thunder Bay.
The state of emergency will remain in effect until the risks are resolved and the order is subsequently rescinded.
