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Burundian refugees in Tanzania hit by devastating outbreaks of cholera | Burundian refugees in Tanzania hit by devastating outbreaks of cholera |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Outbreaks of cholera and severe diarrhoea have struck tens of thousands of refugees from the small African nation of Burundi who are jammed into a village in neighbouring Tanzania. | Outbreaks of cholera and severe diarrhoea have struck tens of thousands of refugees from the small African nation of Burundi who are jammed into a village in neighbouring Tanzania. |
Aid agencies working in the village on the edge of Lake Tanganyika said on Tuesday that the sick Burundians are overwhelming the health infrastructure and sanitation facilities. | Aid agencies working in the village on the edge of Lake Tanganyika said on Tuesday that the sick Burundians are overwhelming the health infrastructure and sanitation facilities. |
Between 500 and 2,000 people are arriving daily in the tiny fishing village of Kagunga, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. | Between 500 and 2,000 people are arriving daily in the tiny fishing village of Kagunga, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. |
The refugees have abandoned their country because of fears of political violence in the runup to June elections, in which their president is seeking a third term. | The refugees have abandoned their country because of fears of political violence in the runup to June elections, in which their president is seeking a third term. |
His candidacy has triggered demonstrations for three weeks in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura. And amid the chaos, some military officers launched a coup last week, which failed within two days. | His candidacy has triggered demonstrations for three weeks in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura. And amid the chaos, some military officers launched a coup last week, which failed within two days. |
Kagunga’s original population of 11,382 has increased to above 90,000 since April, WHO said in a statement. There is not enough safe water for drinking. | Kagunga’s original population of 11,382 has increased to above 90,000 since April, WHO said in a statement. There is not enough safe water for drinking. |
With Kagunga surrounded by mountains, the refugees must wait to board a 100-year-old ship and make the three-hour trip to the port of Kigoma 70 miles away, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) said. | With Kagunga surrounded by mountains, the refugees must wait to board a 100-year-old ship and make the three-hour trip to the port of Kigoma 70 miles away, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) said. |
Related: Burundi refugees say there is no turning back as fears grow of reprisals at home | |
The ship is transporting 600 passengers twice daily, leaving those who remain behind in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, the aid group said. | The ship is transporting 600 passengers twice daily, leaving those who remain behind in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, the aid group said. |
The IRC said it is providing medical care in Kagunga, on the boat and at a transit camp in Kigoma. After making it to Kigoma, about 16,000 refugees have moved on to Nyarugusu refugee camp, a journey of up to four hours by road. | The IRC said it is providing medical care in Kagunga, on the boat and at a transit camp in Kigoma. After making it to Kigoma, about 16,000 refugees have moved on to Nyarugusu refugee camp, a journey of up to four hours by road. |
Cases of acute diarrhoea and cholera have been confirmed, according to WHO. | Cases of acute diarrhoea and cholera have been confirmed, according to WHO. |
The UN high commissioner for refugees office reported that at least seven Burundian refugees had died of severe diarrhoea. | The UN high commissioner for refugees office reported that at least seven Burundian refugees had died of severe diarrhoea. |
Demonstrators in Bujumbura say they will continue to protest until Pierre Nkurunziza, Burundi’s president, steps down at the end of his second term this year. | Demonstrators in Bujumbura say they will continue to protest until Pierre Nkurunziza, Burundi’s president, steps down at the end of his second term this year. |
Burundi’s constitution states that a president can be popularly elected to a five-year terms, renewable once. Nkurunziza maintains he can run for a third term because parliament elected him for his first one. | Burundi’s constitution states that a president can be popularly elected to a five-year terms, renewable once. Nkurunziza maintains he can run for a third term because parliament elected him for his first one. |
Opponents say a third term violates the constitution and peace accords that ended a civil war in 2005. | Opponents say a third term violates the constitution and peace accords that ended a civil war in 2005. |
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