The heavy flooding in Maiduguri, Nigeria, has raised concerns among health organisations, particularly Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Doctors Without Borders, regarding potential outbreaks of diseases like Malaria and cholera. The floods’ effects are not only a physical challenge but also compounding pre-existing issues such as Malnutrition and insecurity, creating a terrible situation for the already vulnerable population. On September 10, the heavy rainfall led to the overflow of the Alau Dam in Borno State, resulting in massive water flow into Maiduguri and nearby regions.
This flood caused extensive damage to residences, markets, agricultural land, and livestock, while several healthcare centres became inoperative. Borno State officials estimate that about 400,000 individuals have been displaced and are finding refuge in temporary shelters. Many camps are located within educational institutions, leading to heightened Overcrowding and poor sanitation, which have deteriorated the living situation. Furthermore, securing safe drinking water continues to be a significant issue. Dr. Issaley Abdel Kader, the Head of Mission for MSF in Nigeria, voiced his worries regarding the severe living conditions of individuals affected by the floods.
Humanitarian teams urge for increased medical support in northern Nigeria.
Before the floods, there had already been an increase in malaria cases and waterborne illnesses like acute watery diarrhoea. He cautioned that without prompt humanitarian and medical assistance, the flooding could result in a surge of Cholera infections. The region’s weak medical system is having difficulty managing the rising number of patients, especially young ones, who are presenting symptoms of malaria and cholera. In response to the escalating crisis, MSF teams have dedicated themselves to delivering fundamental relief. They have travelled to multiple refugee camps in Maiduguri, such as Galtimari, Yerwa, Ali Sheriff, the Vocational Enterprise Institute, and Teachers Village.
Throughout these visits, MSF personnel started to provide critical support, including transporting water through trucks, fixing toilets, and handing out mosquito nets to reduce malaria transmission. However, given the limited resources and the measure of the disaster, the circumstances continue to be terrible. The government of Borno State has declared its intention to shut down and merge most displacement camps, retaining only three primary sites for individuals without alternative accommodations. Although this move could enhance the efficiency of humanitarian efforts, it also raises concerns that many individuals could find themselves in highly vulnerable situations.
MSF expresses deep concern over the worsening malnutrition crisis.
A large-scale campaign for cholera vaccinations is being organised, yet the urgency for ongoing medical care and proper Sanitation persists. The threat of additional outbreaks is significant, as several displaced individuals face the challenge of lacking sufficient clean water and hygiene facilities. MSF has also raised serious alarms regarding the escalating malnutrition issue. Even before the flooding, the Maiduguri area faced one of the most critical malnutrition conditions in the nation’s northeastern region. Weekly, hundreds of children were admitted to MSF’s nutritional care hospital for treatment.
On his part, Dr. Ashok Shrirang Sankpal, the deputy medical coordinator for MSF in Nigeria, worries that the recent flooding has devastated markets, crops, and livestock, increasing the malnutrition crisis. When hospitalisations for severe malnutrition began dropping, the floods happened, raising worries that this positive trend could worsen. The disaster in Maiduguri is part of a trend of flooding affecting northern Nigeria. MSF had to address a comparable emergency in Gummi, Zamfara State, only a few weeks earlier. Much like Maiduguri, residents in Gummi were already confronting issues, including malnutrition, insecurity, and inadequate healthcare.
Related Article: FG calls on Nigerians to clear waterways
In Gummi, MSF focused on ensuring access to safe drinking water, fixing damaged boreholes, and supplying emergency kits containing essentials like mosquito nets and plastic sheeting for transitional housing. Their plea for increased assistance underscores the critical nature of the crisis in the northern region. The flooding has aggravated pre-existing weaknesses, straining community resources and healthcare services. Immediate humanitarian intervention is crucial to prevent additional outbreaks of diseases and to protect the people, particularly children, from worsening malnutrition.