Three cases of measles were found among the displaced population sheltering at the UN compound in Bentiu. Diarrhea is also reported to be a common condition among the displaced, and there are shortages of health supplies and blankets.
The main UN base in Bentiu was flooded with people seeking refuge since last week when elements of the SPLA 4th Division defected and took over the city.
According to OCHA, the UN humanitarian coordination agency, there are about 8,000 people inside the compound. With the population fearing an impending attack on the city by government loyalists, it appears unlikely that the thousands of people in the base will leave any time soon.
“Measles vaccination is urgently needed in all IDP sites,” the humanitarian agency stated in an update Thursday. It noted that aid organizations plan to conduct a polio and measles vaccination campaign at two Juba sites in coming days, but did not mention Bentiu.
Medical supplies were delivered to the UN base in Bentiu on Wednesday, but it was not clear whether any health care providers were still operating there. The emergency medical organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) returned a medical team to the Bentiu State Hospital on Wednesday, but evacuated them again on Friday morning owing to rumors of an impending attack on the city.
Elsewhere in Unity State, population movements are reported into Koch, Leer and Mayendit counties, including people who have fled from the state capital.
Photo: UN Humanitarian Coordinator Toby Lanzer visits the displaced camp inside the UN base in Bentiu, Unity State