MSF-USA: News for the Week of June 8, 1998

June 8, 1998
News for the Week of June 8, 1998

Aiding Earthquake Victims in Afghanistan

MSF teams in northern Afghanistan report that the medical situation is being brought under control after a major earthquake struck the area on Saturday, May 28, 1998, killing between 3,000 and 5,000 people. Jacques Tremblay, head of the northern Afghanistan mission, has stated that wounded are no longer flooding hospitals and clinics. "The desperate need now is for food, water, and shelter," he said. MSF has brought supplies into Faizabad, the hub of the relief efforts, and has been working with other aid agencies to distribute food and medical supplies by helicopters. MSF teams are continuing to closely monitor the population for possible outbreaks of epidemics.

This is the second major earthquake to hit Afghanistan since February, and it is reported to have been much more devastating than the last. The quake, which measured 7.1 on the Richter scale, destroyed 60 villages. MSF teams based in northern Afghanistan reached the victims of this latest disaster within hours.

Food Crisis Worsens in Southern Sudan

MSF teams have reported a six-fold rise in the number of malnourished children that have been admitted into supplementary feeding centers in the Bahr El Ghazal province of southern Sudan in the last 12 weeks. The food crisis--the result of a poor harvest and Sudan's ongoing civil war, which has caused massive population displacements--continues to worsen.

Els Matthieu, the medical coordinator for MSF in Lokichokio, which lies on the border of Kenya and southern Sudan, says, "In one of the primary health care centers in Bahr El Ghazal, people are stealing oral rehydration solution, because of its orange flavor and the fact that it has calories. They are so hungry, they are prepared to resort to any means."

Situation Continues to Deteriorate in Sierra Leone

In the last week, the MSF surgical team in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, has treated 10 more cases of severe mutilations, bringing the total to 235 since April 6, 1998. The victims, including children, have arrived at the hospital with limbs or ears cut off, neck wounds from attempted decapitations, burns and other traumas. Reports indicate that hundreds of wounded civilians have also appeared in hospitals in Makeni and Magburaka, in eastern Sierra Leone close to the border of Guinea. Attacks on civilians continue in the aftermath of February's ouster of coup leaders from the capital. MSF is concerned that the civilian population of rural Sierra Leone is without protection and vulnerable to further attacks. The organization is calling upon the international community to provide further protection and assistance to the people of Sierra Leone.

Artist To Donate Proceeds from Gallery Event to MSF

Eric Reeves, of Northampton, Massachusetts, leads a double life—a Smith College professor by day, he is an artist by night. Generously, he will donate all of the proceeds from his wooden sculpture sold at a special gallery reception to MSF. The reception will be held Wednesday, June 24, 1998 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Stone's Throw Gallery in Brookline, Massachusetts. Mr. Reeves, who creates beautiful inlaid wooden bowls and vases, donates all of his profits from his sculpture to charitable causes. Stone's Throw Gallery features artists exclusively from Massachusetts and was recently nominated as a Top Retailer by American Craft Niche Magazine. For more information please contact: Stone's Throw Gallery, 1389 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02146 or call 617-731-3773.

Voices Of Our Volunteers

Mauricio Fernandez, a volunteer from Santiago, Chile, is working in the war-torn region of Taloquan in northeastern Afghanistan. MSF has been working in Afghanistan since 1980, restoring medical services that have been devastated during 18 years of war.

Dr. Fernandez recently described his feelings about working in a war zone in a letter from the field.

"The work we do can make a difference in the life of this country. We try to find the way back from war to life. At the same time, we continuously listen to the sound of war from the front lines all through the day as a reminder that everything can change in one second, and that we must be aware of this and not be attached to what we are doing. Love it, yes . . .But not attached. We must do as much as we can knowing the results escape our power, that tomorrow doesn't exist and that today is the time to give and work and love and live. Only today."