Health, water interventions needed in Awoda

The situation in Awoda payam (sub-county area) near Raga in Western Bahr al-Ghazal requires an agency to provide drugs on a regular basis, as well as urgent HIV/AIDS and STD awareness programmes, according to the mobile and response team of the nongovernmental organisation MEDAIR, cited in a press release by the agency last week. The water situation in Awoda - now host to over 10,000 new IDPs from fighting between the government and Sudan people’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in recent months - required attention, and the incidences of Guinea worm disease, river blindness and cholera could be substantially reduced by properly constructed riverbed wells and simple sand-filter systems, it said. “A filter-cloth distribution is recommended, especially for children who cannot use the already distributed pipes [to avert guinea work disease],” it added. There were high numbers of STDs, river blindness and leprosy, and there was also a need for a measles campaign combined with Vitamin A distribution because of an expected increase in malnutrition, MEDAIR reported. Mother and child clinics were recommended because of high infant mortality rate, while special care needed to be given to mothers having many abortions, becoming infertile and suffering from problems related to pregnancy and labour, it said. The 10,000-plus IDPs who had arrived in Awoda were living with the host population “but the sheer number of IDPs is far too great for the host community,” MEDAIR stated. Specifically, it said, the IDPs need food, blankets, mosquito nets, shelter, cooking pots and water containers. The agency also recommended the provision of materials, training and continued WFP food supplies for local schools. An upsurge in insecurity as a result of an offensive by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) in May/June had led to the displacement of over 10,000 people from Abulu, Daym Zubayr, Sopo, Besilia and Raga into Awoda payam, with more expected as a result of the peace prevailing there, a joint report of USAID/FEWS and WFP (Technical Support Unit) stated on 16 July. The IDPs, including 5,350 from Daym Zubayr and more than 4,600 from Abulu, planned to settle in Awoda until the security situation settled in their home areas, the report added.