EU supports Nigeria with N75m to combat diphtheria

The European Union (EU) says it has released €150,000 (N75 million) to Nigeria to support its response efforts against diphtheria.

Diphtheria is a bacterial infection caused by the corynebacterium species that affect the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual.

Some symptoms of diphtheria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes, neck swelling, and difficulty in breathing.

On January 20, 2023, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) declared an outbreak of diphtheria in Kano and Lagos states after several suspected cases were recorded.

The disease has since spread to other states including Yobe, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara.

A total of 389 cases have so far been confirmed with 62 deaths.

The EU in a statement on Monday said it released the funds to Nigeria in response to the significant increase in diphtheria cases recorded since the beginning of 2023.

The delegation said the humanitarian fund will assist the most affected communities in Kano, Katsina, Lagos, and Osun.

“This EU funding will enable the Nigerian Red Cross to provide emergency assistance to reduce the impact of diphtheria on affected and at-risk communities through risk communication, outbreak control activities, surveillance, patient referral and hygiene promotion, and early case detection in affected areas,” the statement reads.

“Humanitarian assistance will directly and indirectly target around 1,585,080 people, with a particular focus on vulnerable people at risk of diphtheria, those living in sheltered communities or hard-to-reach locations.

“This funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).”