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Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Cholera breaks out in IS-Philippines war zone in Marawi

The first cases of cholera have been recorded in emergency shelters for families fleeing the conflict in the southern Philippines city of Marawi.

Almost a quarter of a million people have been forced to leave their homes, as the fight against IS-linked militants enters its second month.

Tens of thousands are now living in crowded evacuation centres, where the regional health secretary told Sky News conditions are "below the threshold of any human being".

The cholera cases have been isolated, but he said there was particular concern over the potential for the spread of Malaria and Dengue Fever, which is known to be a problem in Marawi.

"We want a regular uninterrupted supply of clean water, toilets for them to use, and of course decent living conditions," Kadil Sinolinding, Secretary of Health for Mindanao, told Sky News.

More than three thousand people are living at the centre, we saw four working toilets.

"The evacuation centre is way below the threshold of any human being," Mr Sinolinding said.

"But people content themselves. We are surviving. We are all survivors here."

The small rural clinic where he spoke has become a basic hospital.

We watched as a young boy was rushed in with a head injury.

He had fallen outside in the rain. He needed stitches, but was otherwise okay.

In a quiet corner, a mother sat comforting her son on a camp-bed as he was treated for severe dehydration.

Nearby one-year-old Abdul Salam Acmad was attached to a drip, suffering from diarrhoea, which can be especially dangerous in young children.

The nurses said his family had walked the three miles here from Marawi.

We were told four children died from the symptoms of diarrhoea before they could reach medical help after escaping the city.

Three were two years old or younger.

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