Most new arrivals at Al-Hol camp in poor physical state - UNFPA
Situation Overview:
The welfare, health and dignity of people in Al-Hol camp continues to be of great concern. As of 19th March 2019, there are 70,582 displaced people in Al-Hol camp, with some 1,500 people reportedly on the way. The vast majority of new arrivals remain to be women and children who suffer notable symptoms of distress, fatigue and anaemia. On 18th March, 13 new families with approximately 4 people in a family arrived to Al-Hol camp, 5 of whom fled Al-Tayana town and the other 8 came from Al-Baghouz due to hostilities in those areas. Between 17th and 18th March, 150 new patients in need of emergency care were identified. Of these, 40 patients were hospitalized in Al-Hikma hospital, 13 in Al-Hayat hospital and 34 in Ras Al-Ain hospitals. On 18th March, there was a total of 90 patients, including malnourished ones, in Al-Hikma hospital and 45 in Al-Hayat hospital who were referred from Al-Hol camp. From the time of the unfolding of the crisis in December 2018, to date, WHO has reported 124 death cases, the majority of whom are children. There continues to be a notable number of women and children who were separated from their husbands and sons. Due to compounded distress, despair, loss, grief, restriction of movement and trauma, on 18th March, some of the women within the camp demonstrated against camp security in efforts to get more information on the whereabouts of their husbands and sons. Overcrowding and disruptions in their safety nets have put women at risk of GBV, in addition to them and their children in conditions of evident fatigue and distress as they wait for screening, identification and receipt of Non-Food Items (NFIs). This can sometimes lead to various medical conditions, particularly during extreme weather conditions.
General figures:
In the past three days, a new wave of people reached the camp. The bad health conditions of the new arrivals is said to be comparatively worse than those who arrived in earlier days. Cases of trauma related injuries, such as burns, shrapnel, wounds, etc are notable among the new population. It is estimated that around 7,000 people are still inside Al-Baghouz area.