Diseases kill at least 50 in Darfur camps

Internally displaced persons from Saraf Omra, North Darfur and from Mukjar camps in Central Darfur have complained about the increasing death rates caused by several types of diseases, sources told Radio Dabanga on Friday, 19 October.According to sources, more than 50 people have died so far in both areas. They said diseases such as malaria, diarrhea, cough and malnutrition, in addition to the scarcity of medicines and the inability of health authorities to care care of the people are the main causes. Saraf Omra Residents from three camps in Saraf Omra, Dankoj, Naseem and Jebel, have complained to Radio Dabanga about the deteriorating health situation in the area due to malaria, diarrhea and cough. A sheikh from Dankoj told Radio Dabanga that more than 40 people died in the month of October from malaria and diarrhea. He attributed the increase of diseases to the spread mosquitoes, to flies and to contaminated water. The sheikh noted that local authorities stopped providing medical assistance and treatment to patients. However, he urged them to quickly provide them medicines, mosquito nets, mosquito spray and clean water. Mukjar camp An activist from camp Mukjar told Radio Dabanga that especially children are affected and that the situation is getting worse, as more than 10 people died of malaria last week. He added that when available, medicine is very expensive. The activist demanded from health authorities to supply medicine to patients and urgently send a medical team to the region. See also: Widespread diseases in Saraf Omra (2 October 2012)