Natural Disasters and Complex Humanitarian Emergencies Discussion
The small country of Conflictusland recently broke out into a civil war and is experiencing mass genocide. Leading up to this state of emergency, the two main ethnic groups (the Pugnas and the Bellums) had years of post-colonial conflict and tensions. The Pugnas were historically farmers, and the Bellums were historically herders, each playing a role in food provision for the country. The Pugnas significantly outnumber the Bellums. However during the colonial-era, cattle were seen as more valuable than crops and the Bellums were the ruling party. Post-independence, the Bellums’ leader was killed in a plane explosion, shot down by an unknown source. Pugnas, outnumbering the Bellums, immediately took power and began planning for not only political change, but the elimination of the Bellums. Civil war broke out and one of the largest mass genocides took place. To avoid being killed, hundreds of thousands of Bellums have fled to the adjoining country, Salutemland.
You are an aid relief worker with Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), in the main area in the country of Salutemland to which people have fled. You are tasked with assessing the public health needs of the population and helping to establish a refugee camp. Some things you should consider include:
The size and age and sex composition of the refugees
Needs for food, water, sanitation and shelter
Nutritional needs broadly
Maternal Health – prenatal/postnatal care, nutrition, dehydration, delivery, obstetric emergencies
Child Health – immunizations, nutrition, diarrheal disease and pneumonia
Mental Health – PTSD, depression, anxiety, suicide
Prevention of infectious disease transmission
The underlying health conditions of the population
In order of priority, what interventions would you put in place in the short run to address the emergent health needs of the refugee population?
In order of priority, what interventions would you put in place in the medium run to address the emergent health needs of the refugee population?
In order of priority, what interventions would you put in place in the long run to address the emergent health needs of the refugee population?
You are giving a status report to MSF Headquarters on the current situation in Conflictusland and your recommendations/request for support and necessary equipment/supplies. After preparing your ideas, succinctly convince MSF Headquarters of your top priorities for enabling good health within the refugee camp.
In response to your peers, play the role of the head of MSF Headquarters and address gaps in your peers’ reports on the situation.
Requirements: 400
