Spread of disease in Zamzam camp, 2 children die

The IDPs in Zamzam camp face harsh health  and living conditions. One displaced person told Radio Dabanga that the mortality rate is increasing and that diarrhea, infections, coughs, and skin diseases have started to spread widely between the refugees, especially among children, elderly people, and pregnant mothers. He added that security authorities continue to prevent the medical team of entering the camp, for the third week in a row. The witness also said that the lack of food, water and medicine, and the accumulation of displaced people which has been going on for about 3 months, has increased the spread of disease and the emergence of worms.

Dr. Mounir Mohamed Mattar from the Ministry of Health, admitted a shortage of medical services, food, water, tents and a deteriorating health at the camp, referring to the death of two children. He described the emergence of some diarrhea cases, infections, and coughs as not serious. Nevertheless Dr. Mounir said a meeting will be held on Wednesday that includes all humanitarian organizations working in the fields of health, water and sanitation, food and shelter, to discuss the deteriorating situation.