International medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called on donors to sustain the help to the internally displace people (IDPs) in Ethiopia.

MSF emergency response coordinator in Ethiopia Alessandra Saibene, said many people displaced from their homes in a short time needed shelter and essential relief items.

Over 900,000 people have reportedly been displaced along the border between Gedeo and West Guji zones in southern Ethiopia due to a recent surge of inter-communal violence.

“During the rainy season, household food resources are almost completely depleted, so general food distributions need to be ensured throughout the duration of the crisis to avoid malnutrition. A rapid and sustained response is needed from non-government organisations and the local authorities, with continued commitment of donors,” said Ms Saibene.

Emergency response

After an initial assessment of the crisis, MSF has launched an emergency response to address the most urgent needs of the IDPs.

“Most people left their homes in a hurry and arrived with nothing. Families are sleeping on the floor in vacant buildings, like schools or churches, and sometimes even on the bare ground outside with only banana leaves or a plastic sheet for cover.”

The total number of the IDPs has reached 2.8 million, according to Unicef'’s last week report.

Ethiopia needs $117.7 million for the Gedeo West Guji conflict IDPs for the coming six months, according to the end of July, 2018 UN Ocha humanitarian bulletin.

Despite a government-led intervention providing healthcare, food and essential relief items, there were still serious gaps in shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene services, with living conditions being of particular concern, according to MSF.

Clean water

“When so many people live together in crowded and cramped conditions, with limited access to clean water and insufficient latrines, the risk of outbreaks of communicable diseases is very high, according to Ms Saibene.

“We need to act quickly to improve the conditions in the sites where displaced people are staying, otherwise the situation will only get worse,” she said.

MSF and other humanitarian actors were trucking in clean water for people to drink, and improving hygiene and access to local health facilities.

Most of the patients in the MSF medical facilities suffer from diarrhoea, intestinal parasites, respiratory tract infections and skin infections caused by poor, overcrowded living conditions and a lack of clean water.

With the colder and wetter weather approaching, conditions may dramatically deteriorate, with dire consequences for people’s health, according to MSF.