Edith Wirdze
25 February 2008
The Public Information Officer of the UN for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in N'Djamena, Maurizo Giuliano, has said security for refugees is prime.
He was raising the concern for refugees in a press briefing at the United Nation Information Centre in Yaounde on February 19 aimed at explaining the condition of Chadian refugees in Cameroon.
He explained that refugees are vulnerable because they are away from home and have no proper housing. He said refugees suffer from attacks, sexual violence, food insufficiency and psychological disturbances. It is in this regard, he said, that refugees' security is absolute. Without security, he cautioned, there will be disaster leading to many deaths.
He highlighted that it is against this background that the UNHCR has embarked on the relocation of refugees from Kousseri to the newly equipped Maltam camp, some 32 km away, which can hold a larger population in order to make sure that the refugees are safe and protected. As of February 19, he stated, some 1500 refugees have already been transferred to the new camp.
Concerning some 62 orphans already identified, among who are Chadian refugees, he said decisions have been taken to provide a safe environment, good education and housing to improve on the standards of these orphans.
The Resident Coordinator of the UN in Cameroon, Sophie De Caen, said huge movements of populations increases the risk of epidemics. She said it is because of this that UNICEF and WHO carried on vaccination campaigns. She expressed gratitude for the support of the Ministry of Health, some UN systems and other organisations that have supported the humanitarian action.
The outgoing Representative of the World Health Organisation, Helene Mambu-ma-Disu, stated that over 35,600 children have been vaccinated against poliomyelitis and measles and about 34000 were provided with Vitamin A supplement tablets. She said the vaccination targeted all infants and children of applicable age in Kousseri. That for meningitis has been programmed in the days ahead.
According to a press release from the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator for Cameroon on February 19, seven metric tonnes of food aid has already been delivered to first arrivals in Maltam, while 118 metric tones of rice is pre-positioned. The International Federation of Red Cross has established health centres in the area.
Some 250 family tents have been installed and 2 boreholes have been completed, whereas World Food Programme has confirmed the availability of 118 MT of rice. Essentials needs in the form of non-food item, which include blankets, kitchen utensils, jerry cans, mosquito nets and soap, have been provided. The United Nations Population Fund has also delivered female hygiene products.
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