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South Sudan refugee camps at risk for outbreak
WHO reports that refugee camps in South Sudan are at high risk for disease outbreaks due to poor conditions and dwindling health services.
In the past month, 195,416 people have been displaced from South Sudan as a result of recent violence. Of those, 75,171 have taken shelter in U.N. bases in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Bentiu. Many health care workers and others supporting health services have fled their homes for safety.
“The poor water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in the camps, coupled with a shortage of health workers/health care providers, poses health risks to thousands of displaced persons in the U.N. camp bases,” Abdi Aden Mohamed, MD, the WHO representative in South Sudan, said in a press release.
Trauma, diarrhea and malaria are commonly reported in the camps. More than 894 injured people have been treated in the past 2 weeks.
WHO has provided trauma management, emergency health kits, drugs and other medical supplies to aid clinics. The organization also calls for more health care providers to help fill the gaps in health services and support those displaced in South Sudan.