Maiduguri IDP camps at risk of cholera outbreak, UN warns amidst flooding

The United Nations (UN) says internally displaced person (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, Borno state capital, are likely to experience cholera outbreak after a bout of flood ravaged the town.

The flood  on Tuesday displaced many residents in the Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin areas of Maiduguri, following the collapse of the Alau dam which has been at full capacity for the past few weeks.

The incident compounds a humanitarian crisis that the state has been grappling with over the past decade due to insurgency, forcing many residents in the state and across borders around Lake Chad to take refuge in IDP camps.

A report released by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the immediate needs are food, protection, shelter, and clean water.

The UN said some water sources are contaminated, and could lead to outbreak of diseases such as cholera.

“Protection remains a major concern, especially among unaccompanied and separated children, older persons and people living with disabilities,” OCHA said.

“Intermediate needs include non-food items and interventions to prevent the outbreak of diseases such as cholera in congested sites.”

The agency added that the flood has also affected nutrition stabilisation centres treating “severely malnourished children” in MMC and Jere LGAs.

“Beyond MMC and Jere LGAs in Borno State, the Dalwa community in Damboa LGA is also affected, with Bama and Gwoza LGAs similarly reporting flooding,” the statement said.

“Before the recent flash floods, almost 123,000 people in Borno State were affected by floods and windstorms since August.”

The UN agency called for efforts in providing relief to those affected by the disaster.