The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has yesterday said that cholera has killed 175 people with the hospitalization of 10, 000 others in the insurgency affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. The refugee council attributed cholera outbreaks and spread to crowed Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps and host communities. The Programme Manager of NRC, Janet Cherono in a statement issued Monday in Maiduguri; said there is urgent need for improved hygiene facilities to combat the deadly cholera outbreaks. “Number of displaced persons affected by cholera; has shot up to 10,000. The disease is spreading quickly in congested IDP camps with limited access to proper sanitation facilities,” she warned. According to her, the congestion in camps makes it difficult to provide adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services. She added that the rainy season has also worsened the conditions in camps and host communities. The refugee council has called on affected councils in the region to end the cycle of annual cholera outbreaks, warning that; “If more land is not urgently provided for camp de-congestion and construction of health and sanitation facilities, Nigeria is steering towards yet another cholera outbreak in 2019.” She further disclosed that over 1.8 million people are displaced in Nigeria, as a result of the 10-year insurgency in the region. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) also yesterday said Maiduguri has the highest concentration of IDPs, with 243,000 cramped in camps, camp-like settlements and already crowded host communities. “In Kagoni Sangaya displacement camp, the eight latrines that were built to cater for about 150 displaced people are now being shared by 500 people,” said IOM, adding that the displaced persons end up defecating in the open which causes cholera and other water borne diseases. Cherono noted that the number of deaths resulting from the disease is higher than would be expected in a situation where timely and efficient treatment is available. She called on the authorities to provide more space in camps and host communities for the construction of new water and sanitation facilities. On part of international community, she said they will provide the necessary funding. “It is only this way can we prevent new cholera outbreaks,” she pledged.
