Connect with us

Other News

MSF provides medical and humanitarian aid to refugees from South Sudan

Published

on

LONDON – Every day, more than 1,000 South Sudanese refugees are fleeing the fighting in their home country, crossing into Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda, where emergency teams from Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are providing medical and humanitarian aid.

In just one month, more than 89,000 people, mostly women and children, have been forced to leave their homes behind, often making long journeys on foot, by bus or by truck, taking with them only what they can carry. Some families arrive at the border with nothing; many are in need of food, water, shelter and medical care.

“Most of the refugees in Uganda fled the fighting in Bor, and walked for four or five days to reach Juba, where they took a bus or truck to the border,” says Ruben Pottier, MSF’s head of mission in Uganda, which is now home to 46,000 South Sudanese refugees. “It really strikes you when you walk around the camp that there are very few men,” says Pottier.

MSF provides medical and humanitarian aid to refugees from South SudanMore than 25,000 refugees are crammed into the Dzaipi settlement, a camp built for just 3,000 people. It is hot and dusty, and living conditions are terrible for those who are sheltering under the trees or inside a school. “We are treating serious cases of malaria, diarrhoea, and respiratory tract infections,” says MSF’s Dr Fredericke Dumont. “There are women suffering complications during pregnancy and some cases of malnutrition.”

20,000 people from Dziapi are set to be accommodated in a permanent camp in Numanzi, and there are plans to build three more camps in the coming weeks. MSF is currently setting up water and sanitation facilities, running inpatient and outpatient services, providing maternity care, vaccinations and nutrition support to refugees in Uganda. As new camps are built, MSF will expand its activities.

“Because there are now large numbers of people living in a region that has frequent epidemics of cholera and meningitis, we will be closely monitoring the health situation in the camps,” says Pottier.

Around 10,000 South Sudanese refugees have fled to neighbouring Kenya, where MSF is working at the Nadapal border crossing. Some arrive tired, hungry and dehydrated; others have sold what few personal belongings they were carrying in order to pay for transport.

Tok Maker Tot, 20, fled Juba with his mother and ten siblings after witnessing the shooting of some students at his university. His father stayed behind in the city. “Two students from our class were shot,” says Tot. “All the students have now fled. Those who have money have gone to Nairobi, others went to Kampala, others went to Ethiopia. But we, who do not have anything, are trying to go to Kakuma [a refugee camp in northwestern Kenya].”

“When people cross the border there is relief and often hope,” says Guilhem Molinie, MSF’s head of mission in Kenya. “But you can see that people are used to tough realities. At the border I met a refugee who was pleading with officials to let him back into South Sudan. He wanted to find his mother, who was blind. I met another family who had been so scared before they left home that they had hidden under a bed for seven days.”

MSF is working with the Kenyan Ministry of Health to screen all refugees arriving at Nadapal for measles. So far, the team has screened 6000 people, and vaccinated more than 1000 children against measles and polio. Seven suspected cases of measles have been referred to the local hospital for treatment. “With cases of measles reported at the camps in Juba, where most of these refugees transited through, it is of the utmost importance that we do all that we can to prevent an outbreak in Kenya” says Molinie.

As well as providing medical care, MSF has distributed more than 11,000 litres of water to the refugees in Nadapal.

In neighbouring Ethiopia, in the coming weeks MSF will provide outpatient services, maternity care, immunisations and nutrition care to 5,500 refugees who have settled temporarily in Tirgol, and will continue to provide these services once they are moved to a permanent camp in Leichure, which is currently under construction.

Click to comment
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Other News

Ex-IGP Usman Alkali Baba Joins Yobe Governorship Race, Vows to End Insurgency

Published

on

Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Yobe State, promising to tackle insecurity and rebuild the state’s economy.
In a statement released Tuesday following a consultation meeting in the state, the retired police chief said his ambition is driven by a desire to restore peace, strengthen institutions, and accelerate development across all sectors.
Alkali pledged to “wipe out insurgency” and revive economic activities disrupted by years of insecurity, noting that his administration would prioritise intelligence-driven security and community partnerships.
“My vision for Yobe State is clear. I want a state where security is strengthened through intelligence and community partnership. I want a state where farmers can return to their farms with confidence, traders can move freely, and children can go to school without fear,” he said.
The former police boss emphasised his experience in national security management, stating that his years in public service have equipped him with the discipline and strategic thinking needed to govern effectively.
According to him, Yobe State requires leadership that understands security, institutional coordination, and human development, adding that insecurity has significantly hindered growth and deepened poverty in the region.
He also outlined plans to boost agriculture, expand infrastructure, and invest in education and youth empowerment. Alkali promised to provide microcredit support for women and equip young people with technical skills and startup kits to drive commerce and industry.
On healthcare, he pledged to combat child-killer diseases, including polio, and introduce free maternal healthcare services, as well as free medical care for children aged zero to five.
“Mothers will not die during childbirth, and children will live and thrive. They will go to school and graduate in a safe and secure environment,” he assured.
Alkali further stated that his administration would focus on inclusive governance, ensuring development reaches all local government areas without discrimination.
While expressing readiness to build on the achievements of the current administration, he maintained that governance must go beyond rhetoric and propaganda, stressing that it requires “vision, action, and the courage to make tough decisions.”

Continue Reading

Other News

Bayern Won’t Sell Olise Even for €200m — Rummenigge Drops Bombshell

Published

on

Bayern Munich have made a strong statement over the future of winger Michael Olise, with Vice-President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge insisting the club would reject even a €200 million offer for the player.

The comments, reported by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Monday, highlight Bayern’s long-standing policy of prioritising sporting stability over financial gain.

SEE ALSO: BREAKING: Chelsea Hit With £10.75m Fine, Transfer Ban

Rummenigge explained that the club’s position is rooted in a historic decision made in 2009, when Bayern received a massive bid from Chelsea for Franck Ribéry.

After internal discussions involving then CFO Karl Hopfner and former president Uli Hoeneß, the club chose to reject the offer — a decision that shaped its modern transfer philosophy.

According to him, that principle remains unchanged today.

He stressed that Bayern do not consider selling players who are essential to the team, adding that even a record-breaking €200 million bid would not change their stance on Olise.

The statement is expected to fuel further transfer speculation across Europe, but Bayern officials maintain that Olise is a key part of their long-term sporting project and not for sale.

Bayern Munich continue to uphold their “untouchable players” policy, while Michael Olise remains central to their squad plans.

Continue Reading

Other News

AFCON 2025 Drama: Morocco Defends CAF Ruling Amid Growing Controversy

Published

on

The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has defended its position following the controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board over the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Moroccan football authority said its appeal was strictly aimed at ensuring the proper application of competition rules, and not to question the sporting merit or performance of any team involved in the final.

The federation emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the stability of African football competitions, noting that its actions were guided by respect for established regulations.

ALSO READ: JUST IN: Senegal Stuns Hosts Morocco To Lift AFCON 2025 Trophy

“The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” the statement read.

FRMF also praised all participating nations in the tournament, describing the 2025 AFCON as a significant milestone in the growth and development of football across the continent.

However, the body revealed that a more detailed position would be made public after a scheduled meeting of its governing organs.

The statement is expected to further clarify Morocco’s stance and outline any possible legal or administrative steps moving forward.

The CAF Appeal Board’s decision has continued to generate widespread reactions among football stakeholders, with growing calls for clearer regulations, improved transparency, and consistency in the administration of African football.

 

 

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.

0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x