As cholera spreads and conflict escalates, thousands of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia are facing worsening health.
International medical charities have warned of the looming “health catastrophe” among South Sudan refugees in Ethiopia, citing a surge in cholera incidents and widespread malnutrition in crowded camps near the border.
In a statement issued Friday, a borderless doctor, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said the local health system was overwhelmed and unable to meet the needs of tens of thousands of new arrivals.
“The risk of a public health catastrophe is imminent due to the rise in waterborne diseases such as cholera and acute watery diarrhea,” MSF said.
The influx followed new violence in South Sudan, where fragile power-sharing transactions collapsed.
The clashes between the army and rival groups loyal to President Salva Kir were alongside First Vice President Rie Machar. Machar was placed under house arrest in March, further straining the peace process.
According to MSF, between 35,000 and 85,000 refugees fled to Mattal, the border town of Ethiopia.
The organization has reported treatment for more than 1,200 cholera patients and warns that the disease can be fatal in up to 20% of cases if not treated. He also noted that over 40% of malaria tests tested positive, and nearly 7% of children under the age of 5 suffer from severe acute malnutrition.
“A tragic humanitarian situation”
Since February, more than 200 people suffering war injuries have arrived at MSF clinics in the area.
MSF has urged all parties to the conflict to ensure humanitarian access and called for international donors to increase their support. “There is a severe shortage of shelters, water and medical care at Mattal,” he said.
The United Nations warned on Friday that the situation in South Sudan is rapidly worsening and is on the brink of a wider crisis. “Escalating hostility… realizes the real risk of exacerbating the already tragic human rights and the humanitarian situation,” said UN Human Rights Director Volker Turk, urging them to quickly retreat to all sides.
Between May 3 and 20, the battle reportedly killed at least 75 civilians and wounded dozens more. South Sudanese forces have carried out air, ground and river attacks in densely populated areas, including attacks on medical facilities where the MSF was carried out, according to a UN report.
Source link
