Refugee Camps, Burn Injuries and the Need for Complex Care

Swisscross Chief Surgeon Dr Walter Kunzi and local plastic surgeon Dr Alla Shukur operating on Sonya, 11, who lost all function in her arm due to burn injuries.

Providing healthcare to refugees and internally displaced populations comes with unique challenges. Many displaced populations end up in camps, where they are confronted with a myriad of healthcare issues. 

Densely packed refugee settlements can be one of the most pathogenic environments, with a high risk for disease and fires.

In May this year, the Yazidi Bajid Kandala camp in the Kurdistan Region's Duhok province suffered its third fire since the start of the year, which destroyed 25 tents and affected over 50 families.

At the Swisscross Centre of Excellence for Complex Care in Erbil, Iraq over a third of all injuries we treat are a result of burn trauma and in many instances caused by fires in camps and settlements.

Over 40% of those we have triaged and treated at the Centre since September 2021 have been children and many have suffered burn trauma.

Over 50% of all refugees we treat in conflict settings are suffering burns leading to pain, infection and in many cases long-term disability.

Sonya, 11, a refugee living in Kurdistan following her operation in November 2021.

Since 1990 camp or settlement fires have resulted in 487 deaths, 790 burn injuries and the further displacement of 382,486 individuals globally. 

Despite the great barriers in humanitarian settings for healthcare and certainly complex care for a multiplex of wounds, we are working to close the gap between the need for complex care and the response through treatment.

Along with our partners at UAE Aid, we are looking at long-term planning and commitment for complex care needs for refugees and vulnerable populations - working with local agencies, local healthcare professionals and imparting knowledge, skills and training to the next generation of complex care health workers. 

Rebuilding and recovering local healthcare is at the core of creating sustainable complex care demands.