Sudan: MSF renews medical provision in Abyei as thousands flee south
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May 28, 2011 (JUBA) - The international medical humanitarian
organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said it has renewed its
efforts to provide medical assistance to thousands of people displaced
in the aftermath of the violence in Sudan’s disputed region of Abyei.
JPEG - 4.6 kb
Map of Sudan (BBC)
Speaking to Sudan Tribune from Agok, 40km south of Abyei town, Raphael
Gorgeu, MSF’s head of mission described the situation among displaced
civilians as “alarming” and appealed for more intervention from other
humanitarian agencies.
“We have witnessed a massive movement of people out of Agok towards
the south, mainly women and children,” he said by phone. He added
that: “The populations of both Abyei and Agok have been displaced and
are spread out in several different areas such as Turalei, Mayen-Abun
and on the road to Agok.”
Gorgeu’s statement comes nearly a week after MSF evacuated its staff
from Abyei, citing security fears in the region. The disputed
oil-producing was occupied by the northern army – the Sudan Armed
Forces (SAF) – on May 21 after the South Sudan army (SPLA) attacked a
UN-escorted SAF convoy.
South Sudan will become independent in July following a referendum but
tensions have risen in Abyei after a simultaneous plebiscite did not
place over the future of the region.
While a UN assessment report put the figure of those displaced between
30,000 and 40,000, officials from South Sudan say the numbers of those
displaced has nearly tripled since the incident occurred a week ago.
The MSF head of mission said there were visible signs of severe
dehydration among the children displaced from the Abyei, especially
within the areas located on the roads between Turalei and Agok, where
the displaced people are reportedly scattered.
Despite relocating out of immediately after the SAF occupation MSF
continued to provide assistance to displaced as they fled the area.
“There are severe signs of dehydration among many children who are on
the move. We are very concerned about the harsh conditions the
displaced population has to endure on the roads. Their health
condition can deteriorate rapidly if assistance is not delivered
promptly. Our efforts are oriented towards delivering assistance in an
effective and timely manner,” said Gorgeu.
According to the MSF head of mission, the organization has swiftly
responded by setting up a re-hydration point within Agok hospital,
while most of the inpatients in Agok were reportedly discharged and
given two weeks’ rations of ready-to-use therapeutic food.
The hospital, he further said, continues to provide basic health care
services to the population in the region and that the organization is
already setting up a base in Turalei town to support surgical
activities in an existing health centre. Also being provided are
medical supplies and basic non-food items such as shelters, mosquito
nets, soap and plastic sheets.
(ST)
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