UNHCR sees increasing trend of diarrhoeal diseases among Rohingyas

The UN refugee agency sees an increasing trend of diarrhoeal diseases among Rohingyas fleed violence in Myanmar, now living in a crowded condition in Cox's Bazar of Bangladesh.

UNHCR spokesperson Andrej Mahecic made the remarks at a press briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.

The official said they are taking action to prevent severe illness and deaths, reports bdnews24.com.

Although, he said, there are no firm statistics on acute watery diarrhoea among Rohingyas.

But the trend is increasing, Mahecic said, citing measures so far taken to prevent and treat the water-borne diseases.

UNHCR is also supporting an effort by Bangladesh’s health ministry to administer cholera vaccinations to refugees.

Measures to prevent the spread of disease and cut the rate of severe illness and death also include installation of 32 shallow tube wells, and 250 latrines so far, UNHCR said.

"It is vital to provide clean water so that people do not drink from or bathe in contaminated ponds and streams,” the spokesperson said.

UNHCR this week also plans to open medical consultation centres with attached oral rehydration “corners” throughout the huge 2,000-acre or 809-hectare Kutupalong Extension Site where many Rohingyas who have arrived since Aug 25 military crackdown are now congregating to receive assistance.