© Yann Libessart / MSF

Since July, more than 150,000 Somalis have left the provinces of the country's central region seeking refuge in Mogadishu. This kind of exodus poses a host of health problems. Measles is currently the greatest threat and MSF is mobilized to halt the spread of this disease which is particularly fatal for children.

While young victims of war and famine are able to access latest lifesaving, nutritious foods, millions more malnourished children still receive poor quality food aid. "High profile emergencies, such as those in Somalia and Kenya today, represent just the tip of the malnutrition iceberg," says Dr. Karunakara. "Most malnourished children are invisible, and they should not have to become victims of war or natural catastrophes in order to have access to the foods they need."

© Jean Marc Giboux

MSF teams have observed a significant increase in the number of patients admitted to the cholera treatment centres (CTC) in Port-au-Prince. MSF has treated almost 160,000 patients since the first cases of cholera were confirmed a year ago. However, resources for adequately preventing the disease remain rudimentary and at the mercy of the uncertainties of life in the country.

© P.K. Lee/MSF

Following an independent assessment of health needs, MSF is running mobile clinics in camps for displaced people in Tando Bago sub-district, providing basic healthcare. The most common medical conditions are diarrhoea, respiratory tract infections, skin diseases, fever and malaria. MSF’s team is also supporting staff in providing outpatient consultations at the Tando Bago Tehsil hospital. MSF has provided jerrycans, soap and bed nets to more than 750 displaced families, and has distributed 48,000 litres per day of clean drinking water in villages and camps for displaced people.