OneWorld.net (U.S.)

Last week's ammunition blaze in South Kashmir(11/08/07) has left three out of four of the displaced people suffering from sleep disorders. 64 per cent have respiratory tract infections induced by toxic smoke, says an ActionAid report.

The explosion at an Indian army ammunitions base in Khundru villageof Anantnagdistrict, Jammu and Kashmirkilled over 20 people. 10,000 survivors are now living in relief camps.

A number of sites in Khundru, Sombrun, Naugam and other villages are still littered with live shells, some produced by controversial Swedish arms maker Bofors.

Doctors and psychosocial care givers from ActionAid and local partner Yateem Trust conducted medical examination and counselling sessions among 612 inmates of relief camps in Shangus, Achabal and Mattan villages of Anantnag district.

Fear psychosis among children and women is common and almost all survivors say they would not return to their razed villages unless the army ammunition depot is shifted from the area.

"Children are most at risk and need to be engaged in some alternative learning activity so that they don't venture into unsafe areas", says Dr Hina, a mental health officer at ActionAid.'

At the Shangus camp, 76 out of 96 people complained of sleep disorders. Throat infections induced by smoke from the bomb are also widespread.

With heavy army presence at the camp, women complain of insecurity and lack of privacy.Pregnant women are suffering from gynaecological problems.High blood pressure, gastritis and anxiety afflict 35 percent of inmates. Since the elderly could not run away during the blaze, they suffered more injuries. Loss of appetite is also common.

"Most of the littered ammunition is either hidden in the bushes or under mud in paddy fields",says Majid Mir, ActionAid's coordinator at the Shangus camp. "Children are particularly vulnerable."

At the Achabal camp, out of the 466 people examined, 316 are suffering from respiratory tract infections and gastric problems. Anxiety, high blood pressure and skin diseases are also common. Children report loss of appetite, sleep disorders and fear.

At the Mattan camp, 60 per cent of the inmates are suffering from respiratory tract infections while 20 per cent have headache, vertigo and sleep disorders.

"Although the government has provided adequate facilities at the camps, water and sanitation problems are likely to aggravate over a period of time," says Arjimand Hussain Talib, ActionAid's project manager in Kashmir.

With the support of the European Commission Directorate General of Humanitarian Aid, ActionAid has provided blankets, candles and torches to 300 families and medicines to over 600 people.

Makeshift toilets have also been established at the Acchabal camp. Children are also being trained to stay away from littered ammunition.