Malnutrition rising in Sirba camps, West Darfur

Malnutrition is on the rise in all Sirba camps for the displaced in West Darfur. Many pregnant and lactating women are underfed too.The spokesperson for a Sirba camp told Radio Dabanga about cases of malnutrition in all Sirba camps among children below the age of seven years, as well as among pregnant and lactating women.  He explained that the Tarif Jidad hospital has received eight cases. In Bir Dageeg camp nine cases were recorded and in Armenkol 22, adding that there are many cases not yet recorded.The spokesman attributed the reasons for the malnutrition to the humanitarian conditions the camp residents are living in.“The situation deteriorated quickly after the relief organisations stopped the distribution of food rations, two years ago. Due to the lack of a healthy diet, the number of pregnant women with anaemia as well as complicated childbirths and deaths increased.”The camp spokesperson added that “people close to the authorities” have been spreading rumours about the Sirba camps. “They say that the camps have developed into cities, and hence are not in need of aid from organisations. They also want to scare the aid organisations, by saying that the area of Sirba is very insecure.”He demanded from aid organisations “not to listen to the agents of the government, but to investigate the facts. They should listen to the displaced people themselves in order to hear the truth about their living conditions. In this way, the occurrence of more victims among the displaced may be avoided.” File photo Related:WHO: Child mortality from malnutrition reaches 40% in Sudan (23 September 2013)Malnutrition kills 10 children in Central Darfur (2 September 2013)OCHA boss: Sudan malnutrition rate above emergency threshold (16 August 2013)