Thursday March 23, 2023
Kismayo (HOL) - An outbreak of acute watery diarrhea has killed seventeen people, including children, in Somalia's southern region of Lower Jubba, an official confirmed on Wednesday.
The Deputy Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management of Jubbaland, Mohamed Osman Jemis, told reporters that the outbreak occurred in the Afmadow district and surrounding areas.
The minister, who recently delivered a medical donation to the district, stated that the number of people suffering from the disease is increasing every day.
"The death toll now stands at 17, and many people, mainly children, suffer from diarrhea. The number of people suffering from it is increasing every day because the water wells have dried up and the drinking water has become contaminated, increasing the number of people suffering from the disease," said Minister Mohamed Osman Jemis.
Several days ago, a plane carrying medicine arrived in the district, but people have said it cannot meet its needs.
Minister Jemis also stated that the medicine they delivered to Afmadow has now run out, and he is appealing to humanitarian agencies to deliver assistance to the region.