For more than two years, Médecins du Monde has been present in Darfur assisting the displaced population in the camp of Kalma (South Darfur) and Zam Zam (North Darfur). Our operations have been extended to remote areas of Djebel Mara and Kutum through mobile clinics. Our objective is to provide in an impartial access to primary healthcare for the civilian population and close monitoring of the health and epidemic situation.
Until now, we have managed to maintain the fragile health status of our beneficiaries, and to provide basic medical services to the isolated populations that have little access to healthcare.
The deterioration of the situation in the province of Darfur calls into question this fragile balance, since it is resulting in an alarming reduction in access to healthcare and assistance from the international community.
The resumption of the conflict and upsurge in violence threaten the safety of the civilian populations, considerably limit their movements and reduce humanitarian actors’ accessibility to the most remote zones, like Kutum in North Darfur. International assistance has been sharply reduced in the area: more than 350,000 people in Darfur no longer receive food aid from the World Food Programme.
This situation has disastrous consequences on the health status of the beneficiary populations, as shown by some health indicators. In response to the cholera epidemic declared in May in Kalma camp, Médecins du Monde took care of more than 300 patients in its cholera treatment centre. In the last few days, a clear increase in the number of cases and death rate has been noted, in particular in the most distant areas of the camp. This is due to the difficult security situation, which deters patients from visiting the health structures, or delays their visit until their condition becomes life-threatening. This is what happened to two children who did not access treatment immediately and died. The cholera outbreak extends to the city of El Fasher and the surrounding IDP camps where almost 200 cases have been reported.
In the area of Kass and Djebel Mara, Médecins du Monde has also had to suspend its activities due to insecurity. The cholera epidemic has reached these areas and now affects the rural population whom we cannot reach anymore.
It is in this context that we call on all the international community to mobilise so that there is not yet another humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur.
We ask that our status as impartial humanitarian workers, assisting the civilian population, should be respected and protected.
Finally, we ask that everything possible be done as soon as possible to ensure the safety of civilian populations, their freedom of movement and their access to basic healthcare.
Time is running out. The rainy season, which prevented the deployment of armed forces, is coming to an end and the fighting has already restarted.
The international community has a duty to ensure the full protection of the civilian population.
Press contacts:
Florence Priolet
www.medecinsdumonde.org
Elli Xenou
Medecins du Monde Grece
Directrice de Missions