Smoke from recent battles leaves 3 children blind

The recent clashes between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) in Kolghe, East Jebel Marra, North Darfur, left three children blind, Radio Dabanga has learned on Tuesday, 25 September. Sources said this happened due to the amount of smoke and gases released in the air during the battles. Sources added that several other children and elderly are now suffering from conjunctivitis, diarrhea and vomiting due to the air pollution. According to witnesses, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) used unusually heavy weapons during the battles last Wednesday, 19 September, which included violent aerial bombings. The three blinded children, all from north Kuchina, are Adam Jacob (seven years old), Jibril Mohamedin (four years old) and Mariam Saleh (12 years old), Radio Dabanga was informed. Witnesses complained about the absence of medical centers in the vicinity, explaining that the sick children and elderly are being treated with traditional medicines. Residents said the nearest medical center is in Tabit, North Darfur. However they are afraid of traveling to Tabit and be arrested by the government under suspicion of supporting the rebel forces, they added. Local citizens called upon the international community and the UN Security Council to create a committee to investigate what recently happened in East Jebel Marra.They also appealed to the World Health Organization, to the Red Cross and to human rights organizations to immediately provide them medical assistance, before it is too late.See also: More bombardments in East Jebel Marra (24 September 2012)

The recent clashes between the Sudanese government and the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF) in Kolghe, East Jebel Marra, North Darfur, left three children blind, Radio Dabanga has learned on Tuesday, 25 September. Sources said this happened due to the amount of smoke and gases released in the air during the battles.

Sources added that several other children and elderly are now suffering from conjunctivitis, diarrhea and vomiting due to the air pollution.

According to witnesses, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) used unusually heavy weapons during the battles last Wednesday, 19 September, which included violent aerial bombings.

The three blinded children, all from north Kuchina, are Adam Jacob (seven years old), Jibril Mohamedin (four years old) and Mariam Saleh (12 years old), Radio Dabanga was informed.

Witnesses complained about the absence of medical centers in the vicinity, explaining that the sick children and elderly are being treated with traditional medicines.

Residents said the nearest medical center is in Tabit, North Darfur. However they are afraid of traveling to Tabit and be arrested by the government under suspicion of supporting the rebel forces, they added.

Local citizens called upon the international community and the UN Security Council to create a committee to investigate what recently happened in East Jebel Marra.

They also appealed to the World Health Organization, to the Red Cross and to human rights organizations to immediately provide them medical assistance, before it is too late.

See also: More bombardments in East Jebel Marra (24 September 2012)