The United Nations says people in South Sudan face great risks of contracting diseases as a result of poor hygiene and a lack of clean water.

The medical officer for the World Health Organization in the country, Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, told Eye Radio that because of the crisis, large numbers of people are crammed in camps with inadequate health facilities.

Dr. Abdinasir said there could be an outbreak of water-borne diseases in Malakal, Bor Bentiu and Awerial camps if precautionary measures are not taken.

“These people are living in very congested camps where there is no sanitation, where there is no water, no proper food and some of them don’t even have clean drinking water, and that is why right now most of the camps actually are reporting a very high number of watery diarrhea and malaria cases,’’ Dr. Abdinasir said.

Dr. Abdinasir added that awareness and health education campaigns are needed to improve sanitation in the camps and find solutions to overcrowding.

A team of health officials are expected to conduct a measles vaccination campaign in Unity State.

The vaccination campaign will be carried in IDP camps in Bentiu.

The campaign targets children aged between six months and 15 years.

Health officials say some 900 wounded people have been treated at Bor, Malakal and Unity UNMISS clinics and other major referral hospitals over the past couple of weeks.