Risk of measles, diphtheria outbreaks in Rohingya camps remains: MSF
Monday, 29 January 2018
Although the government of Bangladesh has implemented a mass vaccination campaign among Rohingyas for measles and diphtheria, the risk of an outbreak will remain unless living conditions are improved, says Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), reports UNB.
It said there is an urgent need for a better response from organisations providing healthcare to mitigate the risk of additional diseases spreading and to ensure that all those who need vaccinations receive them.
As the settlements continue to expand, refugees face unequal access to basic services such as healthcare, food and water, which increases their vulnerability, the MSF observed.
"Work is continuing on a new road but additional improvements to access need to be made to ensure aid reaches everyone," it said.
Since August 25, over 688,000 Rohingyas have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh and the influx still continues.
Five months on, the situation for Rohingyas remains precarious; they are still living in makeshift shelters in overly populated settlements.
Many lack access to safe drinking water and have poor hygiene and sanitation conditions.
"What we see remains an acute emergency situation with huge humanitarian needs," said the MSF.
Living conditions for the refugees need to be massively improved with a particular focus on improvements to water and sanitation, shelter, reducing population density.
In the current context of dense population and poor water and sanitation conditions, the risk of people falling ill is high.
People are already facing the spread of measles and diphtheria in the settlements.
Another report from Cox's Bazar adds: Lufta Bokshi, a psychosocial support officer who is helping Rohingya women come to terms with life after fleeing deadly violence and rape in Myanmar, said the reason they have the mirror is that after everything that has happened to them, many of the women cannot bear to look at themselves.
"We encourage them to look in the mirror so they can see they are still beautiful and that life can still be beautiful too," she said.