Diarrhoea kills at least 15 children in Somalia

By Abukar Albadri Jun 29, 2005, 13:51 GMT

Mogadishu - More than 15 children died in one day in Somalia in diarrhoea outbreaks which followed annual floods, health officials said on Wednesday.

The victims came from the Jilib district, about 380 kilometres south of Mogadishu, the capital city of Somalia.

Health officials told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa that the number of children dying of dehydration and other treatable diseases such as malaria and influenza is increasing.

Nurro Hashi, a medical assistance in Mother and Child Health care (MCH) in Jilib, said "we registered a number of victims of malaria, influenza and diarrhoea, but the numbers dying are from diarrhoea", adding that "we are getting help from the Red Cross and other international NGOs but this is not enough".

Dr. Mohamed Omar, a specialist in paediatrics, warned that the diarrhoea may be caused by cholera, a serious bacterial infection of the small intestines that is carried in dirty water.

The district commissioner of Jilib, Abdulahi Moalim Hussein, told dpa that "after the floods hit we requested the international community and local businessmen to help the victims" and received some materials to make shelters from the Red Cross and the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS).

However, he added that "the people dont have all basic needs and live outdoors."

Khalif Ahmed Abdulle, the administrator of Mugambow village, told dpa that the NGOs provided plastic to cover shanty houses for 450 families in Mugambow, adding "they dont have domestic furniture as the floods washed away all their belongings and farmlands."

At least 1,200 families have been victims of this year's floods in Jilib and its surroundings.

Muhubo Ali, a mother who lost two of her eight children in the floods, said "we request the outside world not to forget us, because the local community is aware what is happening and has not taken any steps."