Locals say they are living off perished goods in the central Australia town of Ampilatwatja as flooding, road closures and Covid cases combine to cause a “perfect storm” of crises.
A week of heavy rain in the town, which is around 350km north-east of Alice Springs, has caused road closures and a food and supplies shortage. A Covid outbreak is also believed to be growing.
Residents told Guardian Australia they had not been able to manage the outbreak due to a lack of rapid antigen tests, and because staff at the local health clinics had been stretched.
Steven and Narelle Walker, managers at the Aherrenge community shop, said locals were frustrated at the lack of support from authorities.
“We can’t get fresh fruit or veggies due to the roads being flooded, and our suppliers can’t supply us because the trucks can’t get through. We’re living off perished goods now,” Steven said.
“There are small pockets of frustration now, and some fear. There are a lot of people scared of catching the virus.”
Narelle said: “We can’t even test ourselves. Because there are no RATs. We can’t protect ourselves nor our staff. Nobody has had enough, they bring these rules in and no one is prepared.”
The town has reported 11 cases, with locals suspecting there are more going unreported.
Steven said the community in Ampilatwatja felt “abandoned” by authorities, adding that they had missed out on two weekly trucks carrying vital supplies in the time the roads had been closed.
“A lot of people are confused by the rules as well, are in lockdown or lock in? Some people don’t know and are confused by changing definitions and rules.
“We’ve been promised more supplies and more RAT tests, but nothing has happened, and nothing seems to eventuate. We’re just working through the stocks that we’ve built up, but we feel like we’re abandoned.”
Steven said communication had also been difficult, with phone and internet coverage dropping out.
Telstra’s NT regional general manager, Nic Danks, told the Guardian the “hardware issue” has been causing the disruptions, and that the flood waters had prevented them from making any repairs.
“We have tried multiple routes and ways to get to the affected site but flood waters and bad weather are preventing us from accessing the area.
“We tried to chopper technicians to the site today but bad weather in the area forced us to turn back. We are working closely with local and state authorities as well as the community to get the area back online as quickly as possible.”
A spokesperson for Northern Territory Health said: “Our transport team work with our providers to ensure the deployment of aircraft suitable for the conditions in each community.”
“Our transport operators are prepared for wet roads and airstrips. They have a firm understanding of the conditions on the ground in these locations and the capacity of their community stores, where they have ensured increased stock is on-hand to see the community through an extended period of isolation.”
But John Paterson, from the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), called the situation a “perfect storm” of challenges, and said there were “huge delays” in getting supplies into Ampilatwatja.
“All this has just come at once to remote communities where we have some of the sickest and most chronically ill populations in the country,” he said.
“We’ve been calling for assistance for multiple days now, and I totally understand the logistical problems, but there seems to be a reluctance from authorities to provide any help.”
Paterson said he thought military support would be able to navigate the logistical difficulties, but has said there was “waning” interest in response to requests for help.
“There just seems to be a lack of wanting of willingness when it comes to our requests for support and assistance from all levels of government,” he said. “It just seems like nobody cares for our people any more.”
He said locals were feeling “very anxious,” and that many of the frustrations came down to a lack of coordination by authorities.
“It’s not up to the Aboriginal community control sector to take on that responsibility. This is government’s responsibility, and they ought to be stepping up and providing the appropriate leadership support and assistance to our remote communities when in need of help.
“Elders, in particular, are absolutely fearful of the spread of Covid and the lack of access to essential services such as hospitals if they, as well as food security and the lack of food.”
Paterson pointed to a lack of resources for local medical clinics, saying staff there were stretched under pre-pandemic demands, and had been completely overwhelmed by the pandemic.
“The local Aboriginal health service is already under enormous strain in terms of workforce capacity, people have been at the forefront of this pandemic for the last two and a bit years.
“Our current workforce that provides day to day primary health care to our mob are now expected to drop all of that responsibility and that service and then the take up Covid testing and vaccinations.”
“They’re fatigued, they’re tired and they’re right on the edge of burnout.”
