The most prevalent diseases among Acehnese refugees in three camps at Pulole, Fatiha and Simpang Kuah in Banda Aceh are cholera, measles and malaria, the Antara News Agency of Indonesia qu oted a medical group as saying.

The conclusion was made by a team of Medical Emergency Rescue Committee (MERC) in Aceh, Antara quoted MERC chief Jose Rizal as saying.

Jose said that the diseases had infected refugees because the water sources they use have been polluted.

The lack of enough public sanitary facilities like toilets is one of the major reasons for the pollution of water, as many refugees are not patient enough to wait for two hours queuing at public toilets, he said.

Jose said the MERC had conducted massive medical treatment among refugees and have been chlorinating wells in camps.

The MERC had sent 13 humanitarian teams comprising 70 medical and other volunteers based in Banda Aceh to over 52 refugee camps.

In the coming six months the MERC would focus its work on recovery program and establish two clinics and a field hospital in Meulaboh in southern Aceh. The recovery program was expected to require 9 billion rupiah (about US$9 million) in funds.

(Xinhua News Agency January 15, 2005)