An international medical charity has warned of a looming “health catastrophe” among South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, citing surging cholera cases and widespread malnutrition in overcrowded camps near the border.
In a statement issued by Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), said the local health system is overwhelmed and unable to cope with the needs of tens of thousands of new arrivals.
“With waterborne illnesses like cholera and acute watery diarrhea on the rise, the risk of a public health catastrophe is imminent,” MSF said.
The influx follows renewed violence in South Sudan, where a fragile power-sharing deal has broken down.
Clashes between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and rival groups aligned with First Vice President Riek Machar have intensified, forcing many to flee. Machar was placed under house arrest in March, further straining the peace process.
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