A medical source at the UN peacekeeping base in Bentiu says 15 acute malnutrition cases were discovered among the civilian population sheltering at the base, with a higher number of moderate cases also reported.
Many thousands of people fled to the base in the Unity State capital in December, but the number has since dropped to less than 3,000, according to a statement Wednesday by the UN Mission.
Nonetheless, a nutrition assessment carried out on Tuesday found several acute cases among children at the base. A doctor there said malnutrition could hit a ‘red level’ if organizations did not intervene.
The medical doctor, who preferred his name not be mentioned in the media, said that 15 cases of acute malnutrition were found during the survey while about 50% of children were found to suffer from ‘moderate’ malnutrition.
He also warned of possible disease outbreak. “It could happen. People are fearing that. Today this morning we reported two cases of measles,” the doctor told Radio Tamazuj.
Photo: Children at the UN base in Bentiu draw pictures using stationary provided by Mongolian peacekeepers, 28 January 2014 (UNMISS)
Related coverage: Measles and malnutrition cases at UNMISS base, Bentiu (3 Feb.)