Six refugees die of diarrhea

Six refugees die of diarrhea

PONTIANAK, West Kalimantan: An outbreak of diarrhea in
Madurese refugees camps in Wajok Hulu, Pontianak, West Kalimantan
has killed six people since early August.

The diarrhea was the result of a shortage of clean water in
the province, also caused 117 refugees to seek medical treatment
at their respective camps, located some nine kilometers from
Pontianak.

The prolonged draught in the province has disrupted
water supplies as untreated water from Kapuas River had become
salty.

Many people were seen queuing for clean water at the local tap
water company, PDAM.

"We could not afford clean and potable water. The price is so
high, between Rp 2,500 and Rp 3,000 per [small] container,"
Sarian, a community head of the refugees said.

Dozens of patients had only received medical treatment at
their camps.

An Islamic school in one of the camps had been closed as the
patients were being treated in its classrooms. The doctors have
been placed on standby 24 hours a day.

The health officers confirmed that the outbreak of diarrhea
had occurred because the refugees had consumed unhealthy water.

The diarrhea spread very fast because the small refugee camps
were crowded, occupied by over 6,000 people.

About 50,000 Madurese migrants have fled their homes in Sambas
since 1999 following clashes with local Dayaks.

Only 600 families have so far been relocated by the
government. (46/02)