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)