Children, pregnant women die of disease at Kalma camp, South Darfur

Three children and three pregnant women died on Saturday at Kalma camp for the displaced near Nyala, capital of South Darfur. Kalma camp’s Sheikh Ali Abdulrahman Al Taher told Radio Dabanga that Samira Ishaaq, Najat Ali, Amira Suleiman, all pregnant women, succumbed to disease at the camp on Saturday, while three children died of diarrhoea and vomiting. “These women died due to the lack of first aid and primary health care,” he lamented. The sheikh pointed out that about 100 toilets have been closed, which means that the displaced must relieve themselves in the open.“This stimulates the breeding of flies and mosquitoes, which quickly spread diseases,” he said, expressing grave concern at the deteriorating health situation in the camp due to outbreaks of diarrhoea and haemorrhagic fever “that have a high incidence among children, and lead to an alarming mortality rate”. Sheikh Al Taher appealed to health authorities and international relief organisations to speed up intervention. “There are still nearly 60,000 newly displaced who lack food, drink, clothing, blankets and medicines,” he said. File photo by Albert González Farran/UNAMIDRelated: ‘Critical conditions’ in South Darfur camp as 327 families arrive in one day (8 May 2013)’Severe water crisis’ at six camps in West Darfur (7 May 2013)3,392 families arrive at South Darfur camp (5 May 2013)