Rome (Fides Service) - The UN World Food Programme reported that ten people are in hospital with cholera symptoms after an epidemic of cholera broke out in an overcrowded refugee camp in northern Uganda lacking even basic sanitation and assistance. Two refugees have already died of cholera.
The two who died were among 60,000 refugees crammed into Pabbo refugee camp about 20 km north of the largest town in the area Gulu, which lacks sanitary services and assistance.
Patients with cholera symptoms were rushed to the nearest, St Mary’s in Lacor, opened and run by Italian medical volunteers. Two patients in more serious condition died, the others are being treated. The authorities have ordered the partial emptying of the overcrowded Pabbo camp.
Civilians in northern Uganda have been at the mercy of ruthless rebels of the Lord’s resistance Army for 18 years and at least 1.6 million people have been made homeless and forced to live in camps where conditions are unbearable and dangerous. (AP) (25/10/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:20; Parole:199)