MSF-USA: Extra Supplies and Staff Arrive in Chad to Assist Refugees

April 23, 2003
Extra Supplies and Staff Arrive in Chad to Assist Refugees

The situation in Chad is deteriorating dramatically with a continuously increasing number of refugees from the neighboring Central African Republic. At the moment, some 30,000 people are staying in the Goré region while in and around Maro the number of refugees has reached approximately 9,000 people. New refugee camps are needed to deal with the constant refugee influx.

"We have just sent a full charter flight to Chad," says Sonia Peyrassol, emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Chad. "The cargo consisted of 40 tons of plastic sheeting, medication, a vaccination kit, a nutrition kit, logistical material, a hospital kit and equipment for water and sanitation. There were also two more MSF volunteers sent to reinforce the teams. At this moment we have some 30 international aid workers in the region. They are helping to identify sites and constructing new camps in Maro and Goré. We also have water and sanitation experts on the ground to provide water distribution and latrines for the camp populations."

The new refugee camp in Maro should provide shelter for 10,000 people. MSF started a health center there some two weeks ago and currently carries out about 100 to 150 medical consultations per day. The new camp in Goré will host some 15,000 people.

"The living conditions of the refugee population are troubling. People are in need of food and shelter and their health condition is quite weak. We have already detected cases of measles. To deal with this we are conducting measles vaccination campaigns for a total of 200,000 children between six months and 15 years," Sonia Peyrassol continues.

Meningitis has been recorded in the region as well. Thus far MSF has identified nine cases in Doba, where eight patients have died. Therefore MSF is planning a vaccination campaign for about 30,000 people in the affected area.

Another full relief cargo will be sent to Chad within a few weeks. The freight will consist of 3,000 tents and kits with logistical, water and sanitation equipment. Two more MSF volunteers will also go to reinforce the sanitation system in the district.