The World Health Organization (WHO) warned against deadly Diseases and malnutrition afflicting the African country of Somalia due to drought.
In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), Mamoon Rahman Malik, representative of the World Health Organization in Some areas of Somalia said in Country already suffering from starvation-like Situation. urging government to shift his focus to work on Saving life support for the weak population.
“if we can work together in competing for Resources, if we do not repeat our efforts, if government He directs the operation and oversees the situation and we can overcome this situation.”
The representative of the World Health Organization said the health consequences of one of The worst droughts were worrying, warning that more people mayo die Because of From the deseases hunger.
It is believed that drought hit 50% of The state population as such more from 7 million people need humanitarian assistance. Dry spell also Displaced nearly a million people – the majority of they women And the children.
If we don’t prioritize health in terms of expansion access To emergency health care and lifesaving support and people in the end die of He said.
The representative of the World Health Organization said that diseases follow Famine and drought also accompany malnutrition, which causes more of deaths hunger Itself.
“Therefore, we need to protect health of These are weak people To save their lives from pretty much preventable things causes. We are seeing a large number of Incidents of cholera, acute diarrheal diseases, pneumonia and measles cases are among those at risk people affected by the drought.
deteriorating health condition
Because of current Dehydration and health in horn of An African country is rapidly deteriorating. United Nations and others international Humanitarian organizations are trying help About 7.7 million – about 50% – of The population who It has been directly Or indirectly affected by drought.
The representative of the World Health Organization said that they are witnessing a rise in cholera cases. So far, 4887 suspected cases of cholera with 16 drought-related deaths were reported in 21 drought-affected regions.
Out of 4,887 suspected cases of cholera 62.4% infected children below the age of 5.
“The regions that report the most of Cholera cases so far in Benadir with 2132 cases, ebay with 1662 cases and Lower Shabelle with “557 cases,” Malik said.
Besides cholera, the region she has also saw a spike in Diarrheal diseases. So far since January, a total of 29,273 cases of Acute diarrheal illness has been reported in drought affected areas.
Of these cases, 69% were children younger than 5.
The owner said the suspected cases of Measles also a plus in 2022 compared to previous years.
He said the number of new cases of Suspected measles increased by 15% in The past Two weeks.
Areas that have reported the most cases include Bay Mudge and Banadir.
On the steps to be transferred to avoid He said the famine was there need to increase and expand access for emergency health services and also ensure The health centers are staffed with Appropriate caregivers, and equipped with proper medicine.
“We should watch if there is a surplus death It happens because this is the most specific indicator of The looming threat of He said.
Malik said that the World Health Organization has spread over 2500 community health workers for support communityLife-saving health interventions that are screened by health staff for Nutrition, distribution of micronutrient supplementation and payment home Patient visits children Unable to visit health centers.
