Maiduguri, 14 September, 2024 –Following extreme flash floods that displaced hundreds and brought about vital injury throughout a number of communities in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, the World Well being Group (WHO) Consultant in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, pledged the group’s unwavering help to these affected.
Throughout his go to to Maiduguri, Dr. Mulombo met with key figures, together with the Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai El-Kenemi, officers from the Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation & Resettlement, in addition to representatives from the College of Maiduguri Educating Hospital and Internally Displaced Individuals (IDP) camps. In these discussions, he reaffirmed WHO’s dedication to supporting Borno in addressing the well being challenges introduced on by the current floods.
Accompanied by the Borno State Commissioner of Well being and Human Providers, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, Dr. Mulombo assessed the state of affairs in flood-displaced communities, together with the Bakasi and Yerwa IDP camps, the place many displaced individuals have sought refuge.
Dr. Mulombo expressed deep concern over the influence of the catastrophe on the lives of the affected inhabitants, particularly essentially the most susceptible, together with ladies, kids, and the aged. He assured the individuals of Borno State that WHO would proceed to offer important technical and operational help to mitigate the well being impacts of the floods.
The flooding, attributable to the breach of the Alu Dam, displaced over a million individuals and considerably elevated well being dangers equivalent to cholera and different waterborne illnesses. This has additional exacerbated the already difficult humanitarian state of affairs within the state. Moreover, the flood affected the WHO Nationwide Polio Laboratory positioned on the College of Maiduguri Educating Hospital (UMTH).
“On behalf of WHO, I lengthen my heartfelt sympathy to the individuals of Borno State affected by this devastating flood. WHO stands with you throughout this troublesome time, and we’re dedicated to making sure that important well being providers attain these in want, significantly these displaced by the disaster,” stated Dr. Mulombo. “We’re shocked by the dimensions of the catastrophe, however we’re right here to evaluate the wants and help each the state and federal governments in addressing the challenges posed by this sudden emergency.”
Dr. Mulombo reiterated WHO’s dedication to collaborating with the Borno State authorities and different companions to prioritize the well being and well-being of affected populations.
In partnership with the Borno State Ministry of Well being, WHO and its companions have been actively addressing the well being challenges posed by the floods. WHO is carefully collaborating with well being authorities to strengthen illness surveillance, make sure the immediate supply of medical provides, and forestall outbreaks of waterborne illnesses.
As a part of its fast response, WHO has deployed 4 cellular clinics to IDP camps and offered important medicines and medical provides, together with Interagency Emergency Well being Kits (IEHKs) and malaria therapies. Moreover, WHO is working to reinforce the state’s capability to quickly detect and reply to illness outbreaks inside the camps.
Expressing gratitude to WHO for its ongoing help in responding to the flood emergency, Professor Gana said, “We respect WHO’s swift response and continued efforts to handle the well being wants of our individuals. As we concentrate on fast aid, we should additionally prioritize constructing stronger well being techniques that may stand up to future challenges posed by disasters like this.”
Whereas guiding the WHO crew by way of the state capital, Professor Gana highlighted that the flooding is essentially the most extreme the area has skilled up to now 30 years. He reported that 14 well being services had been affected and hundreds of individuals displaced.
The Commissioner emphasised that the fast wants of the individuals embody shelter, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), meals, and well being providers. He urged companions to help the federal government in addressing these pressing wants, whereas the federal government continues its efforts to make sure that individuals can return to their houses as quickly as attainable.
In his remarks, the Shehu of Borno expressed his appreciation to each the federal government and WHO for his or her immediate help to the affected populations. He additionally referred to as on the federal government to implement an enduring resolution to forestall future breaches of the dam.
WHO’s involvement, alongside well being companions, kinds a part of a broader dedication to supporting the Borno State authorities in addressing the well being impacts of emergencies equivalent to floods, illness outbreaks, and different humanitarian crises. As a part of this ongoing help, WHO has deployed emergency well being groups to flood-affected areas to conduct danger assessments, ship well being schooling, and improve surveillance techniques to detect and forestall illness outbreaks, together with cholera and malaria.
These floods come at a time when Borno State is already grappling with a fancy humanitarian disaster pushed by years of battle and displacement. The WHO Nation Consultant’s go to and the Group’s steadfast dedication to supporting the state spotlight the important want for sustained well being interventions in such difficult humanitarian settings.
WHO’s efforts in Borno State are aligned with its world mandate to offer technical management and steerage in emergencies, making certain that susceptible populations proceed to have entry to life-saving well being providers, even in essentially the most troublesome circumstances.