An outbreak of scurvy in Somali refugee camps*

Magan, Ahmed M.; Warsame, Mohamed; Alisalad, Abdikamal; Toole, Michael J.

doi:10.1111/j.1467-7717.1983.tb00801.x

Cited by 23 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…The number of refugee pastoralists in Somalia is considerable. A series of droughts and wars in the 1970s and 1980s and the resulting livestock mortalities expanded refugee numbers at that time to between one-quarter and one-third of the entire population (Magan et al, 1983). Currently, conflict and drought in Somalia and the subsequent disruption of food distribution and relief efforts could put the entire population at risk (Refugee Reports, 1991).…”

Section: Somaliamentioning

confidence: 99%

Restocking Refugee Pastoralists in the Horn of Africa

Unruh

1993

Disasters

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Repeated and lingering famine in the Horn of Africa has produced enormous pastoralist refugee populations in a region where livestock production is a major form of land use. Permanently settling destitute pastoralists has a record of failure. It can disrupt host land-uses, causing social and ecological problems, and prevent the utilization of very large grazing areas where pastoralism may be the only ecologically and economically sustainable land-use. Herd reconstitution should be considered an option in relief and rehabilitation programmes for pastoralists. This paper examines a design where the most proven and immediate way of sustaining stockless pastoralists - farming - can be used to facilitate restocking objectives. Using data gathered in Somalia, estimates of livestock carrying capacity are linked with forage resources, land area, livestock units, and the frequency of good, average, and poor (drought) water years, to explore the possibilities for incorporating restocking into refugee rehabilitation efforts.

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Section: Somaliamentioning

confidence: 99%

Restocking Refugee Pastoralists in the Horn of Africa

Unruh

1993

Disasters

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“…Along the Shabelle river, and especially near refugee camps (Fig 2a), natural resources are severely stressed by overgrazing and deforestation (Drechsel 1989). A series of droughts and wars in the 1970s and 1980s and the resulting livestock mortalities expanded refugee numbers at that time to between one-quarter and one-third of the entire population (Magan et al 1983). A series of droughts and wars in the 1970s and 1980s and the resulting livestock mortalities expanded refugee numbers at that time to between one-quarter and one-third of the entire population (Magan et al 1983).…”

Section: The Somalia Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Nomadic pastoralism and irrigated agriculture in Somalia

Unruh

1991

GeoJournal

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The persistent interplay of food production problems, land degradation, and social and climatic difficulties on the Horn of Africa result in recurring famines in spite of vast sums of money spent on agricultural development. As land resources -which undergird both social and production systems in Africa -become increasingly degraded, development efforts, especially in problematic areas, need to become part of comprehensive resource use programs that take into account the existing regional land use ecology. Designs which disrupt the ecology of established land uses can lead to extensive degradation because such uses are linked to wider areas; and the effects of such disruption can ultimately threaten the viability of the proposed schemes themselves.While African agriculture has traditionally met greater food needs by expanding the area under cultivation and irrigation, the increasing scarcity of new high quality arable land means that multiple use of "high potential" areas will become a priority. This paper describes a multiple land use in a "high potential" river basin of Somalia, in the context of the existing use patterns involved in irrigated agriculture and nomadic pastoralism. The spatial and temporal access and use of resources are analyzed, and recommendations made for improving the integration of these production systems.

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“…A study of outbreaks in Somalia in 1982 found that most of those affected were pastoral nomads whose traditional source of vitamin C was camel's milk (Magan et al 1983). Although the refugees involved in the outbreaks in Somalia had been in camps for as long as 3 years, they had been supplementing their general rations with food (e.g.…”

Section: Horn Of Africamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Vitamin C is mainly found in fresh vegetables and fruit, and is quite unstable in foods. Epidemics of scurvy have occurred in the drought-and famine-affected refugee populations in the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia and Kenya), where refugees have not had access to fresh fruit and vegetables (Magan et al 1983;Centers for Disease Control, 1989a,fc;Desenclos et al 1989). One of the main risk factors is the duration of stay in a refugee camp when the population is dependent on the emergency food ration, reflecting the time on rations lacking vitamin C. Another risk factor is overcrowded camps, where infectious diseases spread quickly, thereby increasing vitamin C requirements.…”

Section: Vitamin C Deficiencymentioning

confidence: 99%

Meeting the challenges of micronutrient deficiencies in emergency-affected populations

Prinzo

Benoist

2002

Proc. Nutr. Soc.

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Micronutrient deficiencies occur frequently in refugee and displaced populations. These deficiency diseases include, in addition to the most common Fe and vitamin A deficiencies, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), pellagra (niacin and/or tryptophan deficiency) and beriberi (thiamin deficiency), which are not seen frequently in non-emergency-affected populations. The main causes of the outbreaks have been inadequate food rations given to populations dependent on food aid. There is no universal solution to the problem of micronutrient deficiencies, and not all interventions to prevent the deficiency diseases are feasible in every emergency setting. The preferred way of preventing these micronutrient deficiencies would be by securing dietary diversification through the provision of vegetables, fruit and pulses, which may not be a feasible strategy, especially in the initial phase of a relief operation. The one basic emergency strategy has been to include a fortified blended cereal in the ration of all food-aid-dependent populations (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees/World Food Programme, 1997). In situations where the emergency-affected population has access to markets, recommendations have been to increase the general ration to encourage the sale and/or barter of a portion of the ration in exchange for locally-available fruit and vegetables (World Health Organization, 1999a, b, 2000). Promotion of home gardens as well as promotion of local trading are recommended longer-term options aiming at the self-sufficiency of emergency-affected households. The provision of fortified blended foods in the general ration has successfully prevented and controlled micronutrient deficiencies in various emergency settings. However, the strategy of relying only on fortified blended foods to prevent micronutrient deficiencies should be reviewed in the light of recurring evidence that provision of adequate supplies of these foods is often problematic. Donor policies on the bartering or exchange of food aid should also be clarified. Furthermore, the establishment of micronutrient surveillance systems, including standardized micronutrient deficiency diagnostic criteria, are vital for the control of micronutrient deficiency diseases.

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An outbreak of scurvy in Somali refugee camps*

Cited by 23 publications

References 3 publications

Restocking Refugee Pastoralists in the Horn of Africa

Restocking Refugee Pastoralists in the Horn of Africa

Nomadic pastoralism and irrigated agriculture in Somalia

Meeting the challenges of micronutrient deficiencies in emergency-affected populations

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