Journal of Refugee Studies
Volume 14, Issue 4, 2001, Pages 412-427

An investigation of increasing mortality among Congolese refugees in Lugufu camp, Tanzania, May-June 1999 (Article)

Talley L.* , Spiegel P.B. , Girgis M.
  • a International Emergency and Refugee Health Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Research Participation Program Administered by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, United States, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, United States
  • b International Emergency and Refugee Health Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Research Participation Program Administered by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, United States, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, United States
  • c International Emergency and Refugee Health Branch, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, United States, Research Participation Program Administered by Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, United States, International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, United States

Abstract

From January through June 1999, 45,00 Congolese refugees arrived in Lugufu camp in western Tanzania, suprassing the maximum camp capacity by 15,000 persons. During this 6-month period of rapid population influx, both the crude and under age 5 years mortality rates dramatically increased. A retrospective mortality survey in conjunction with a review of key programmatic indicators to identify risk factors for mortality was conducted in July and August 1999. This investigation revealed that all refugees, not solely the new arrivals, were at increased risk of dying. The population increase exceeded the camp's capacity to meet the basic needs of the refugees, resulting in a reduction in access to resources and services for the entire population.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Tanzania Infant Mortality risk factor refugee mortality
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0035555993&doi=10.1093%2fjrs%2f14.4.412&partnerID=40&md5=0fe4b075bec9872c4f7e5f02dae6a14f
DOI: 10.1093/jrs/14.4.412
ISSN: 09516328
Cited by: 10
Original Language: English