Overcrowding and a lack of clean water and sanitation facilities have led to cholera among the estimated 40,000 Burundian refugees, including in the Tanzanian border town of Kagunga, it further says.

'€œAlready 20 cases of cholera have been confirmed in the Kagunga and Nyarugusu refugee camps, where new arrivals are being received,'€ Oxfam said in a release on Wednesday.

Citing a UN report, it said 1,057 cases of acute diarrhea had been recorded at Kagunga, where refugees wait for boat transportation to the camp, Lake Tanganyika Stadium and Nyarugusu camp.

'€œClean water, medical care and proper sanitation are urgently needed,'€ the aid agency states.

Oxfam is working with local partner TWESA to fix tap stands at Kagunga beach, as well as to build additional latrines to reduce the risk of disease spreading among the refugee population. It will also start working in Nyarugusu to increase clean water supply and build emergency latrines to cope with the huge numbers.

Approximately 22,000 refugees have been transported from Kagunga to the Nyarugusu camp, where they are being temporarily housed in schools and churches, as aid agencies source supplies needed to build appropriate shelter.

'€œMedical facilities are overstretched by the number of sick people. Early and rapid response is essential in containing the spread of water-borne diseases such as cholera,'€ Oxfam says. (ebf)

Popular

MR. D.I.Y Indonesia marks 1,200th store opening as the fastest expanding retailer

Indonesia climbs to second in SEA Games medal standings

Lots of clicks, few arrivals as ‘New Bali’ dream hits snag