The United Nations has raised concerns about the potential outbreak of cholera in emergency camps for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Maiduguri, Borno State, following recent flooding in the region.
In a report released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), urgent needs identified include food, shelter, and clean water. The report warns that some water sources have been contaminated, increasing the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
“The immediate needs are food, shelter, and clean water, with some water sources contaminated. Protection remains a major concern, especially for unaccompanied and separated children, the elderly, and people with disabilities,” the report stated.
It further highlighted the need for non-food items and measures to prevent disease outbreaks in overcrowded IDP camps. The floods have also affected nutrition stabilization centers treating severely malnourished children in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) and Jere Local Government Areas (LGAs).
Beyond MMC and Jere, other areas like Dalwa in Damboa LGA, Bama, and Gwoza LGAs have also been impacted by flooding. Since August, nearly 123,000 people in Borno State have been affected by floods and windstorms, which have damaged infrastructure and heightened the risk of disease outbreaks, especially in congested camps.
The report also noted that some flood-affected areas in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states are already facing a food and nutrition crisis, affecting 4.8 million people, with 230,000 children at risk of severe acute malnutrition.
In Maiduguri, the hardest-hit areas include Gwange, Bama Road, the Maiduguri Zoo, the Post Office area, the State Secretariat, Lagos Street, Shehu’s Palace, Maiduguri Main Market, Customs/Gamboru areas, Budum, Specialist Hospital, and the Post Office general area. The State Lowcost and Shikari areas are also on high alert, with residents relocating along Muna Road. Flooding has rendered two UN guesthouses inaccessible.
In Adamawa and Yobe states, 12,500 and 46,600 people, respectively, have been affected by flooding. In Adamawa, there are fears of more severe flooding, as reports from Cameroon suggest that the Lagdo Dam may release excess water due to damage from heavy rains. However, no official notification has been received from the Cameroonian authorities.
Nationwide, floods have claimed over 200 lives and affected more than 800,000 people across 29 states, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Borno State has the highest number of affected and displaced people as of September 9.
Other heavily affected states include Bauchi, Bayelsa, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Niger, Sokoto, and Zamfara. Flooding has damaged tens of thousands of hectares of farmland just before harvest, amid rising food and fuel costs.
“The damage to crops risks worsening food insecurity during the current lean season and in the months ahead, potentially exacerbating Nigeria’s already critical food insecurity situation,” the report added. Over 32 million people in Nigeria are facing severe food insecurity, according to the March 2024 Cadre Harmonisé food security and nutrition assessment.
Despite the challenges, the UN and its partners have activated business continuity plans to ensure the continued provision of critical services.