WHO raises concern about infectious disease risk in Syrian settlement

WHO expressed “severe concern” today over the conditions in the Rukban settlement in Syria, located near the border of Jordan, where approximately 40,000 people remain stranded.

In a statement, the organization requested immediate access to the settlement to examine the health conditions there, as well as provide medical treatments and supplies and to evacuate any patients who are critically ill.

According to WHO, harsh winter conditions have led to several deaths in the settlement, where mostly women and children are children staying, and health care facilities have been poorly functioning with limited staff and supplies.

The risk for respiratory diseases associated with overcrowding and indoor air pollution, including acute respiratory infections, influenza, measles and tuberculosis, and chronic respiratory diseases like asthma, are of particular concern for young children in the settlement. The risk for skin disorders, such as lice and scabies, are also increased with overcrowding, WHO said.

“The people trapped in Rukban are living in deplorable conditions, exposed to harsh weather that shows no signs of abating,” Elizabeth Hoff, a WHO representative in Syria, said in a press release. “It is imperative that we are able to reach them as soon as possible with health assistance so that no more lives are lost unnecessarily.” – by Katherine Bortz

Disclosure: Hoff is employed by WHO.