Borno Flood: MSF Expresses Fears over Outbreak of Diseases

Michael Olugbode in Abuja

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has expressed concern over the likely outbreak of diseases in Maiduguri, the Borno State, and environs following the massive flooding from the overflow of Alau Dam.
The organisation in a statement made available to THISDAY at the weekend, said it was concerned about the significant risk of malaria and waterborne diseases, including cholera in the state.

The statement added that there were also fears that the crisis could increase the levels of malnutrition in the area.
MSF called for urgent additional support, especially in terms of water, sanitation, and medical care, to protect people already heavily impacted by long-term insecurity and unprecedented levels of malnutrition.

The statement read: “On September 10, heavy rain caused the Alau Dam in Borno State to overflow, leading to major floods in and around the city of Maiduguri. The deluge heavily impacted houses, markets, fields, livestock, and several health facilities. According to Borno State authorities, close to 400,000 people have been registered in 30 makeshift displacement sites. Most of the sites are schools with too few latrines and a lack of safe drinking water.
“We are very concerned about the precarious living conditions and the potential outbreaks of cholera and malaria”, said MSF’s Head of Mission in Nigeria, Dr. Issaley Abdel Kader.
“The number of children affected by malaria and acute watery diarrhea had already started to increase before the flooding, and we have seen some with clinical signs of cholera since the floods. We are afraid that the number of cases will rise without the increase of medical and humanitarian support, especially regarding water, sanitation and hygiene,” MSF added.

The statement said: “Last week, MSF teams went to several displacement sites (Galtimari, Yerwa, Ali Sheriff, Vocational Enterprise Institute, Teachers Village) to assess people’s needs and start the provision of essential services such as access to water through water-trucking and water tanks, the installation and repair of latrines, and the distribution of mosquito nets. Teams are also running outpatient consultations in the sites, including mental health support, and referring critical patients to the facilities we support.

“Given the risks posed by malaria and cholera, MSF is also planning to expand the pediatric facility it supports by 100 beds, to meet the demand of the likely increase in malaria cases. Teams have begun setting up a cholera treatment centre that can be increased to a 100-bed capacity if needed,” the statement added.
The statement revealed that the Borno State government has announced the closure and merging of most displacement sites in the coming days.

“They plan to keep three main sites to accommodate people who still have no place to stay for one more week, and a mass cholera vaccination is upcoming.

“All parties involved in the humanitarian response must continue assisting the people affected by the floods as long as it will be necessary and ensure immediate and easy access to medical care for those who need it. The closure of most sites means that many will find themselves in a very vulnerable situation. For those remaining in the sites, prompt action must be taken to swiftly improve hygiene conditions, including access to latrines, safe water, and mosquito nets,” Issaley added.