April 26, 2006 — The Anyuak media have learned that Gambella is experiencing a very devastating disease, cholera, at this time. It has been a week since it reached its peak. A lot of people have died and more are dying each day and night. The poorly equipped hospitals are over capacity. Shortage of drugs and personnel makes it harder to control. Our sources in the region told us that the elderly people are more likely to die of the disease. Since, the local authority is not prepared and not even trying to prepare, more people are assume to die of the disease.

"The central government is not paying attention to the epidemic disease in the Region", one of the resident said.

UNICEF is trying to cope up with cholera outbreak, but it is stretched. Gambella town is believed to be the most susceptible of all areas in the region.  

The other side is the insecurity and fear of mistreatment in local clinic. People from the villages are afraid to come to town for treatment; even residents within Gambella town are afraid of going to the clinic because of maltreatment. People are dying in their homes, on farms and along the village roads. Basically, Gambella people are without caretaker as they are held with contempt. Both the rural, and Gambella town population are at high risk of this contagious disease. If the international community cannot reach them at this critical time, all Gambella inhabitants will vanish unnoticed.

Gambella region is gripped with grief all over. As we are in contact with our relatives back home, what we hear is horror and devastating. 

People in Pochalla are experiencing the same problem of cholera as in Gambella region.  There are no hospitals in Pochalla. The population is dense because of refugees from Gambella. The place is remote. Only prayers can save.