Assisting war refugees
International staff: 16
National staff: 183
|
|
MSF programs in Zambia focus primarily on refugees, who
have arrived by the thousands from neighboring countries,
particularly Angola. Some refugees from Angola
returned home after the country's February 2002 ceasefire.
Angolans predominate in Maheba refugee camp near
Solwezi, established in 1971. Together with local actors, MSF
has been supporting health clinics and nutrition programs
at Maheba since 2000, concentrating on those who have
arrived since 1998. In January 2002, MSF began providing
tuberculosis treatment; by early summer, 20 patients were
being treated.
MSF also fights malaria in Maheba, and is documenting
the efficacy and compliance rate for artemisinin-based
combination therapy. In April 2002, the "Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria" announced it would
grant money to Zambia to use artemisins.
Following the stabilization of the public health situation
there in early 2002, MSF handed over activities in a refugee
camp in Kala, northern Zambia, home to 25,000 refugees
from Democratic Republic of Congo. In the west, MSF also
handed over work in Nangweshi camp, home to 10,000
Angolan refugees, and now assists them at their point of
entry into Zambia.
Integrated HIV/AIDS care continues in the northern district
of Nchelenge, including voluntary testing and counseling,
home-based care, advocacy and education. These
activities are being expanded to reach refugees.
MSF has been in Zambia since 1999.
|
