Social determinants of health in countries in conflict - What is GIS ...

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Social determinants of health in countries in conflict 47 care; some hospitals offer inexpensive services but transport costs are too high for disadvantaged people to reach them. In Mogadishu, the capital, the focus of the current fighting, as of April 2007: almost a quarter of the city’s 1.5 million people are moving out of the city; cheap municipal water and electricity services have collapsed and bore-holes and generators are beyond the reach of all but the rich; there is no state authority to control water quality; rubbish collection and sanitation services have disappeared; and rubbish mountains represent a hazard to health. Cholera was confirmed in Mogadishu in March 2007. The outbreak was related to the complete breakdown of health and water systems, continued fighting and population displacement. The usual responses to the outbreak, such as supplying clean water and oral rehydration therapy, were not available [116]. Coping strategies discussed in the civil society report include the preservation of clan and subclan organizations which provide people with a social identity and support network and the establishment of community-based organizations to help those in need. 6.6 Darfur The Darfurian civil society interviews were conducted by AHED. Since 2003, Darfur, in western Sudan, has suffered extensive civil conflict. This has resulted in the destruction of the homes, villages and livelihoods of many Darfurians. Major health problems result from a lack of clean water and adequate housing; northern Darfur, which is mainly desert, is most seriously affected by lack of water. By mid-2006, 200 000 Darfurians had died, mostly from conflict-related diseases and malnutrition, and 2 million had been forced from their homes. The conflict has now spread to neighbouring Chad [3,26]. Civilian respondents from Darfur noted that women suffer from rape and harassment, and also malnutrition which contributes to the death of their children. Children suffer from malnutrition, which is most acute during the rainy season, and trauma because of bombardment, militia raids and the killing of family members. Attacks by armed groups on aid workers have caused a suspension of some aid activities. Aid organizations responded to the crisis by providing emergency surgery, basic health care, antenatal and postnatal care, rehabilitation for rape victims and therapeutic and supplementary feeding during peaks of malnutrition. However, education has been neglected. SDH-chapters-countries in conflict-7 Oct.indd 47 08/10/2008 14:24:53
48 Social determinants of health in countries in conflict Coping strategies include attempts by IDPs to organize themselves into social groups based on their tribes. However, most IDPs are now politicized, as armed groups emerged which were tribally based making them vulnerable to attack by other groups in the camps. SDH-chapters-countries in conflict-7 Oct.indd 48 08/10/2008 14:24:53
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Social determinants of health in countries in conflict - What is GIS ...

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