Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Nouakchott (Agenzia Fides) - In Mbera refugee camp in eastern Mauritania, there are 55,000 refugees from Mali, among these 1 in 5 children are malnourished and 4.6% suffer from severe malnutrition. According to the latest estimates by Doctors Without Borders, the young children under 5 years of age are dying mainly due to the combination of various diseases such as malnutrition and malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhea. The situation is worrying, especially because only 70% of children in this age group have been vaccinated against measles, which connected with malnutrition becomes lethal. The infant mortality rates are high because the mothers bring their children to health centers only when they are dying. In addition, refugees have difficulty adapting to a diet based on cereals, which is completely different from theirs which is mainly of milk and meat. Many families sell part of their food to try to get a little milk or meat for their children. The situation could worsen if not treated immediately. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 15/01/2013)
