Diarrhoea blamed for four child deaths at Pauktaw Twsp IDP camp

By Admin 21 Sep 2024

DMG Newsroom
21 September 2024, Pauktaw

Four children have died due to an outbreak of diarrhoea in the Hsin Tet Maw Muslim displacement camp in Pauktaw Township, Arakan State, according to camp officials.

Over a three-day period from September 18-20, the deaths of two girls ages 5 and 3, and two 2-year-olds are being blamed on diarrhoea.

“Children have diarrhoea more often and their immune system declines and they die. The situation is bad. Many other children also have diarrhoea,” said U Maung Gyi, manager of the Hsin Tet Maw displacement camp.

High temperatures at the camp, unsanitary conditions including a lack of potable drinking water, and inadequate medical care have been cited as contributing to the deaths.

Muslim IDPs said that there are more than 90 people suffering from diarrhoea in the displacement camp, mostly children and the elderly, and that there are difficulties getting them the treatment they need.

“Medicines are so expensive that I can’t buy them. I think the IDPs have diarrhoea because the weather is very hot and the spaces inside the displacement camp are cramped. Now it is a critical situation,” said one Muslim IDP.

With growing concern over diarrhoea outbreaks at Hsin Tet Maw and other displacement camps, Muslim IDPs are hoping to receive healthcare services and assistance. The Hsin Tet Maw IDP camp is home to more than 2,800 people.