Malaria is the number one cause of mortality and morbidity in the area.
The population of Bayelsa State has limited access to health care, and ethnic clashes and civil unrest are pervasive. MSF is concerned about the situation in the Niger Delta as there are no international humanitarian non-governmental organizations operating in Bayelsa and existing health infrastructures are inadequate to meet the needs of the population. Two small medical assessment missions have led to the decision to launch a malaria intervention. Malaria is the main cause of mortality and morbidity for the 100,000 people living in this conflict-prone environment. One quarter of all deaths of children under one year are caused by malaria.