The United Nations has unfolded COVID-19 emergency response plans for
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable in the Northeast
region.
The region; has also been affected by decade long Boko Haram
insurgency that claimed many lives in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Edward Kallon in a
statement Tuesday in Maiduguri, disclosed that; “We’re taking
emergency preparedness and response measures to mitigate the spread of
coronavirus to the most vulnerable crisis-affected people in Borno,
Adamawa and Yobe states.”
These measures, according to him, will also address immediate
humanitarian consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic should it spread to
Northeast.
He said the UN will not wait for COVID-19 to reach IDPs in camps
before it acts.
While lamenting on IDPs’ living conditions in camps, Kallon said:
“They have already suffered enough from the decade-long conflict and
our priority is to ensure the continuous delivery of life-saving
assistance, especially health services.
He noted that the most vulnerable comprise women, children and the
elderly who need special attention.
He further declared that; “More than ever, it is crucial for
vulnerable people to have access to not only water, soap, shelters,
but also food, education and protection.”
According to him, UN is supporting the governments of Borno, Adamawa
and Yobe states in developing emergency response plans that take the
reality of the living conditions in many communities and IDP camps
into account.
He warned that the response plans, include specific mitigation
measures particularly in overcrowded camps and camp-like settings
where the risk of disease outbreaks is higher.
“We’re actively involved in Camp Coordination and Camp Management
(CCCM) in IDP sites across the BAY states in support of the State
Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and National Emergency Management
Agency (NEMA),” he said, adding that key activities are being
implemented jointly in the IDP camps, guided by global guidance on
Covid-19 Outbreak Preparedness and Response.
On COVID-19 preventive measures, Kallon said: ““Humanitarian partners
are installing hand-washing stations in IDP camps and ensuring supply
of clean water.
“Partners are also distributing soap and teaching women how to produce
their own.
“The UN is also planning to bring in vital health equipment and tools
to prevent and treat the respiratory virus, which is now affecting
over 12 states across Nigeria, with 135 total cases recorded as of
yesterday (Tuesday).
“It has also developed awareness-raising and prevention messages,
leaflets, posters, animations and videos specific for IDPs and other
vulnerable people in the north-east.
“In partnership with major TV and radio channels, it has launched
sensitization campaigns across various Nigerian states, reaching
millions of Nigerians.
“We’re also launching a survey tool with the Network of People Living
with HIV (NEPWHAN) to gather specific and arising challenges for
people living with HIV on continuous access to quality treatment, care
and support in the midst of the response to the outbreak of COVID-19.”
