Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=23220
Disease Spreads in Wake of Yemen Droughts
Written by The Media Line Staff
Published Thursday, November 06, 2008
Health workers in Yemen fear an outbreak of disease after floods devastated areas in southeastern Yemen in late October.
Thousands of stagnant pools of water, piles of garbage and dead animals lying around houses have prompted health concerns.
The situation has been compounded by the absence or destruction of water and sewage networks, as well as a lack of equipment and technical expertise, IRIN reported.
Swamps mixed with sewage water have developed in some areas and wells have been contaminated.
At least 98 died in the floods in the Ha?dramawt governorate and more than 22,000 have been displaced, exposing them to harsh weather conditions. Of the displaced, more than 9,000 are children.
Diseases most likely to develop in the area include malaria, cholera, polio and acute diarrhea, health experts say.
There is a lack of sanitation and drinking water, which is an impetus for waterborne diseases, Naseem A-Rahman, a spokesman for UNICEF in Yemen told The Media Line.
UNICEF is providing water purification tablets, oral dehydration salts and hygiene kits to the displaced and is educating the public about the importance of water treatment and sanitation through the media, community leaders and imams.
?There are no facilities for providing fluids intravenously so the best bet is preventative measures,? A-Rahman told The Media Line.
Diarrhea, high fever and respiratory diseases are already prevalent among flood victims.
Yemen, located in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, is one of the poorest countries in the world and is already grappling with a rebellion in the north, Al-Qa?ida-inspired terrorism, and an influx of illegal immigrants arriving at its coasts from Africa.
Disease Spreads in Wake of Yemen Droughts
Written by The Media Line Staff
Published Thursday, November 06, 2008
Health workers in Yemen fear an outbreak of disease after floods devastated areas in southeastern Yemen in late October.
Thousands of stagnant pools of water, piles of garbage and dead animals lying around houses have prompted health concerns.
The situation has been compounded by the absence or destruction of water and sewage networks, as well as a lack of equipment and technical expertise, IRIN reported.
Swamps mixed with sewage water have developed in some areas and wells have been contaminated.
At least 98 died in the floods in the Ha?dramawt governorate and more than 22,000 have been displaced, exposing them to harsh weather conditions. Of the displaced, more than 9,000 are children.
Diseases most likely to develop in the area include malaria, cholera, polio and acute diarrhea, health experts say.
There is a lack of sanitation and drinking water, which is an impetus for waterborne diseases, Naseem A-Rahman, a spokesman for UNICEF in Yemen told The Media Line.
UNICEF is providing water purification tablets, oral dehydration salts and hygiene kits to the displaced and is educating the public about the importance of water treatment and sanitation through the media, community leaders and imams.
?There are no facilities for providing fluids intravenously so the best bet is preventative measures,? A-Rahman told The Media Line.
Diarrhea, high fever and respiratory diseases are already prevalent among flood victims.
Yemen, located in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, is one of the poorest countries in the world and is already grappling with a rebellion in the north, Al-Qa?ida-inspired terrorism, and an influx of illegal immigrants arriving at its coasts from Africa.