The number of displaced persons registered with humanitarian organizations during the months of July and August stands at around 100,000. However, the actual number of new internally displaced persons is thought to be much higher. A polluted water supply and deteriorating sanitary conditions in one camp for internally displaced persons in Kenema district led to an outbreak of bloody diarrhoea which began in late September. Nutrition surveys have identified pockets of severe malnutrition in the rural areas and an increase in child malnutrition generally. As of 3 October, however, less than 3,000 tons of food aid were available in-country, with acute shortages reported in Bo and Makeni.
Health systems are near collapse.
Consequently, a measles epidemic is accounting for a 30 per cent case mortality rate among children. The number of Sierra Leoneans who have registered as refugees in neighbouring countries has risen to over 60,000. A much larger number of people have moved temporarily to neighbouring countries, but they have not as yet sought refugee status. The breakdown of organized governance is taking a heavy toll on the civilian population, which has shown remarkable fortitude. The serious humanitarian situation in the country poses a dilemma for the international community because the security and safety of both personnel and humanitarian supplies cannot be assured in the country under prevailing conditions.