The United Nations has raised concerns over the potential for a cholera outbreak at emergency Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, Borno State, following severe flooding in the region.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) released a report outlining the urgent need for food, clean water, shelter, and protection for those affected by the disaster.
According to the OCHA report, the flooding has contaminated water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera.
“The immediate needs are food, shelter, and clean water, with some water sources contaminated. Protection remains a major concern, especially among unaccompanied and separated children, older persons, and people living with disabilities,” the report stated.
The report further highlighted that overcrowded conditions in the IDP camps could worsen the situation, with non-food items and disease prevention measures being critically needed.
“Intermediate needs include non-food items and interventions to prevent the outbreak of diseases such as cholera in congested sites. The floods have also affected nutrition stabilization centres treating severely malnourished children in MMC and Jere LGAs,” OCHA said.
In addition to Maiduguri, other areas in Borno State, such as Dalwa in Damboa LGA, and Bama and Gwoza LGAs, are also experiencing severe flooding.
The report revealed that nearly 123,000 people in Borno have been impacted by floods and windstorms since August, and the destruction of infrastructure is escalating the risk of disease outbreaks.
OCHA noted that the food and nutrition crisis already affecting the region has worsened, with 4.8 million people at risk of food insecurity and 230,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
“Some of the flood-affected areas in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states are facing a food and nutrition crisis affecting 4.8 million people and putting the lives of 230,000 children at risk through severe acute malnutrition.”
The most severely impacted areas in Maiduguri include Gwange, Bama Road, Maiduguri Zoo, Post Office, Lagos Street, Shehu’s Palace, the Maiduguri Main Market, and Customs/Gamboru areas.
Other locations such as Budum, Specialist Hospital, and the State Lowcost area are also on high alert for further flooding. Many residents have started relocating to Muna Road for safety.
The situation is similarly dire in Adamawa and Yobe states, where over 12,500 and 46,600 people, respectively, have been affected by flooding.
OCHA raised concerns about the potential release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, which has sustained damage from heavy rains. This could exacerbate the flooding in Adamawa State.
Across Nigeria, more than 200 lives have been lost, and over 800,000 people have been affected by nationwide floods in 29 states, according to data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Borno State has the highest number of displaced individuals, with other severely impacted states including Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Flooding has also destroyed thousands of hectares of farmland just before the harvest season, adding to Nigeria’s food insecurity crisis.
“The damage to crops risks elevating food insecurity in the ongoing lean season, and in the coming months. This may lead to a further deterioration in the already alarming food insecurity in the country,” OCHA warned.
As of the March 2024 Cadre Harmonisé food security and nutrition assessment, more than 32 million Nigerians are facing severe food insecurity.
Despite the challenges, the UN and its partners have activated contingency plans to ensure the continued provision of critical services to those in need.