| MSC respond to Zimbabwe cholera epidemic |
 In the South African border town of Musina thousands of refugees cross from Zimbabwe to escape poverty, injustice and now the scourge of cholera which is decimating the people. Last week the area was declared a disaster zone by the Limpopo Provincial Government.Fr Adrian McHugh MSC has been parish priest in Musina for the last six years and has had to respond to many emergencies during that time, but this is one of the most challenging. Currently he is operating a small food distribution centre in the town five days a week as part of the MSC response to Zimbabwe's growing humanitarian crisis. Further south, in Louis Trichardt, Fr Frank Gallagher MSC runs a Drop-In Centre for refugees and a night shelter for boys between the ages of 10 and 15. MSC respond to Zimbabwe cholera epidemicOne of the many cholera patients Fr Adrian McHugh MSC, from Swinford, Co Mayo, has been parish priest in Musina for the last six years and has had to respond to many emergencies during that time, but this is one of the most challenging. Currently he is operating a small food distribution centre in the town five days a week as part of the MSC response to Zimbabwe's growing humanitarian crisis.  Fr Adrian McHugh MSC "Some of the people travel over 100 miles on foot through the bush to get here, driven on by the fear of dying from disease, hunger or being targeted by their own government. Once they get here many just collapse." At present there are up to 2,000 refugees living under a blistering sun in an open municipality-owned field in Musina, which suffers from severe water and sanitation shortages. "I find the whole situation so depressing and everyone is living in fear of catching the disease. The people are just sitting around the campground doing nothing but waiting. Musina has now been renamed 'little Zimbabwe' because of the crisis. "Those that have the strength move on after a few days towards Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town where they say they are going to look for work so they can send money home to their families, who have nothing." About 90 miles south lies the major crossroads town of Louis Trichardt. From here both the road and railway head south to Pretoria, Johannesburg and Cape Town. It has been a major gathering point for refugees for many years.  Fr Frank Gallagher at the Drop-In Centre in Louis Trichardt Most of the young people staying there at the moment are from Zimbabwe, and in need of somewhere to stay, because sleeping in the open leaves them exposed to being picked up by the police or attacked by thieves. Speaking to the Irish Times for the same article, Fr Frank said, "Most of the people we have here walked from Musina, and they use us as a rest stop before moving on south. The ones who are very sick we bring to the local hospital, but many people try and hide their illnesses from the others in the shelter because of the stigma. Often we only know they have been sick because we find empty medicine bottles around the area after they have left. "The people we get here are really appreciative for any help they receive, and we try to help as best we can. But we are only a small group - there is only room for 14 each night - and a drop in the ocean of need really." The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, together with our sister Congregation, The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, are trying as best as we can to respond to this growing tragedy in Southern Africa. We are grateful to all our benefactors and supporters for their vital help in making our efforts possible. You can read the full on-line version of the Irish Times article of 19th December here. |