Minna, 28 June, 2025 – In response to severe flooding that displaced thousands and disrupted health products and services in Mokwa Local Authorities Save of Niger Assert, the World Health Group (WHO) is working carefully with sing authorities and partners to tackle urgent health needs and restore obtain correct of entry to to a will deserve to absorb care.
Precipitated by intense rainfall, the flooding submerged a number of communities, broken infrastructure, and disrupted healthcare supply. According to a joint overview by the Niger Assert Ministry of Health and WHO, no main health care centre changed into rendered entirely non-practical; then again, five sustained varying degrees of injury, and up to 44 others all the plan thru affected wards might perchance well also require make stronger.
As floodwaters receded, Mokwa Frequent Health center and some non-public clinics resumed trauma and surgical products and services.
Addressing heightened health risks
WHO’s public health scheme evaluation indicates an increased threat of illness outbreaks similar to cholera, typhoid, malaria, and skin infections. Health authorities are also monitoring concerns linked to malnutrition, injuries, and the worsening of noncommunicable ailments, including hypertension and diabetes.
Delivering lifesaving care to displaced households
In collaboration with the Niger Assert Ministry of Health, WHO and partners absorb deployed mobile scientific teams and supported the institution of a health camp at Kpege Most foremost College, now serving as temporary safe haven for displaced households.
Aisha Abubakar, 27, whose dwelling changed into destroyed, has been living on the camp.
“We misplaced everything,” she said. “Twenty participants of my household absorb been affected, and eight are smooth missing. The teens are continuously exposed to mosquito bites, and we’ve had no meals.”
She sought attend on the clinic when her baby developed a fever.
“My baby changed into handled for malaria, and we obtained cooked meals and hygiene kits. The medicine helped lower the fever swiftly, and the hygiene gadgets helped us terminate neat despite the scheme.”
Musa Abdullahi, 31, now living in an unfinished building with his household of eight, shared a identical myth.
“The flood swept away all our belongings. When my baby fell ailing, we visited the WHO-supported clinic and obtained free malaria remedy and hygiene kits. The health make stronger and meals reduction are helping us live to yell the tale. What we need now might perchance well be safe haven and a technique to rebuild our lives.
Strengthening the response with supplies and coordination
To make stronger ongoing efforts, WHO has delivered three Inter-agency Emergency Health Kits (IHEK 2017) for total and malaria remedy, alongside with cholera modules, oral rehydration salts, infrared thermometers, non-public protective equipment, and handwashing products and services. These supplies are anticipated to revenue over 3,000 folks in affected communities.
“Given the elevated health risks following flooding, timely circulation is principal to preventing illness outbreaks and saving lives,” said Dr Ann Fortin, WHO Nigeria Emergency and Response Preparedness Cluster Lead.
“We’re working in discontinuance coordination with the Niger Assert Authorities to restore obtain correct of entry to to care, enhance illness surveillance, and uphold the health and dignity of displaced populations.”
WHO also supported the activation of the Assert Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to facilitate partner coordination, information sharing, and speedily planning.
Dr Ibrahim Dangana, Commissioner for Health, Ministry of Most foremost Health Care, acknowledged the quite loads of strain on the native health machine. “We deeply fancy WHO’s swift intervention. This make stronger is helping us attain vulnerable households and quit avoidable outbreaks.”
Comrade Abdullahi B. Arah, Director of the Niger Assert Emergency Administration Company, added:
“No subject infrastructure and obtain correct of entry to challenges, our teams are committed to reaching affected communities. The collaborative response led by WHO and partners is already having a determined impact.”
Looking ahead: Building resilience
Previous the instantaneous response in Mokwa, WHO is working to enhance Nigeria’s emergency preparedness and response ability by deploying trained scientific teams, expanding outbreak surveillance, and advocating for added resources thru the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies (CFE). These efforts aim to sustain the most up to date response and enhance resilience to future flooding and public health threats.
This emergency response to Mokwa changed into made doable with funding make stronger from the Authorities of Japan.
