Diseases and outbreaks increasing
The displaced families in Niafounké, now live in crammed classrooms. Difficult living conditions such as overcrowding and lack of hygiene are factors that encourage the outbreak of certain diseases.
“We have increasing cases of respiratory infections (out of 618 people treated, 51.6% are children under 5), infectious skin diseases and cases of diarrhoea (out of 158 people treated, 87 were children under 5),” says Dr Baricomo Karembé, a clinical doctor in Niafounké.
“There are also cases of malnutrition, with 66% of the children screened in our consultations within the displacement camps being acutely malnourished.
Many of the displaced people also need mental health assistance, as they are confronted with the loss of their loved ones and their property.”
MSF response
As soon as people arrived in Niafounké in April, MSF set up a health post to provide free primary healthcare, installed water points and provided 600 kits of non-food items.
Of the 4,000 residents, our teams’ assessment shows that between April and June 2024, 1,202 women received care, including 96 prenatal consultations and 15 deliveries.
While MSF provides access to drinking water and healthcare, other needs remain unmet. With the start of the new school year just around the corner and families residing within classrooms, it is important to find a suitable site to provide lessons.
Mental health assistance is also urgently needed. MSF is encouraging other local and international humanitarian organisations to step up their support for these recently displaced people.
Fonte original msf.org
