UNICEF warns of disease in Pujehun, Kenema

UNICEF has warned of a possible outbreak of disease in the southern district of Pujehun and Kenema in the east because of a lack of sanitation, clothing, food and safe drinking water for some 73,920 returning refugees. The UN children’s agency, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and WHO, conducted an assessment in the two districts in December. It said the few health personnel available in these areas were “poorly equipped in terms of training and logistics” to cope with health emergencies. UNICEF said, in its situation report for 19 December to 15 January, that although returning refugees were building thatched homes and engaging in farming, food and shelter were still scarce.