Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Kenyan authorities to launch vaccination campaigns in refugee camps to avoid large-scale outbreaks.

MSF made this call following the increased influx of Somalian refugees into the Dadaab Refugee camp due to the crippling effects of climate change, armed conflicts, and severe drought in the country.

Since January 2021, more than one million people are believed to have been displaced because of the drought.

According to data from MSF, the number of arrivals from Somalia to Dagahaley alone has doubled from August to September, reaching over 800 people.

This number is estimated to keep increasing steadily in the coming weeks and months as many Somalians continue to seek shelter, food, and safe drinking water.

It is also feared that many of those arriving are coming from southern Somalia, where measles and cholera outbreaks have occurred recently.

‘With low vaccination coverage in Somalia, and no system in place to receive and screen the newly arrived people in Kenya, infectious diseases can spread rapidly, putting people living in and around the camps, particularly children, at heightened risk of getting ill’, MSF Deputy Programme Manager for Kenya, Adrian Guadarrama, said.

‘Even a few isolated cases of measles and cholera can cause a full-blown outbreak in overcrowded camp settings, where clean drinking water is scarce and sanitation and hygiene are poor’.

Enhancing cholera prevention measures, including cholera vaccination, is even more critical as Kenya has reported outbreaks in six counties.

‘A targeted measles and mass cholera vaccination campaign in Dadaab camps and the surrounding communities is now required to prevent large-scale outbreaks and save lives’, Guadarrama added.

‘We are ready to support with launching the much-needed vaccinations in Dagahaley camp, where we are the main healthcare provider’.

MSF said the UNHCR, donors and the government of Kenya must all show a sense of urgency now by setting up a dignified reception and screening system for people crossing over to the country.

Source: MSF

Photo source: MSF