Immediate Needs Include Clean Water, Food, and Shelter, Says UN Report
The United Nations has raised concerns over a potential Cholera outbreak in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Maiduguri, Borno State, following severe flooding in the region. In a report by the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the floods have contaminated water sources, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks in the overcrowded camps.
OCHA highlighted the immediate need for food, clean water, and shelter for those displaced by the floods. The report warned of contaminated water sources, which could trigger a cholera outbreak, especially in congested areas.
“The immediate needs are food, shelter, and clean water, with some water sources contaminated. Protection remains a major concern, especially among unaccompanied and separated children, older persons, and people living with disabilities,” the UN report stated.
Flooding has not only affected Maiduguri but has also spread to other areas in Borno State, including Dalwa in Damboa LGA, Bama, and Gwoza LGAs. The floods have already displaced nearly 123,000 people since August, damaging critical infrastructure and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.
The most flood-affected areas in Maiduguri include Gwange, Bama Road, Shehu’s Palace, Maiduguri Zoo, and the Maiduguri Main Market, among others. With overcrowded IDP camps and infrastructure damage, the UN warned of a looming health and humanitarian crisis.
Beyond the immediate risk of Cholera, the UN raised concerns over a growing food and nutrition crisis affecting 4.8 million people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states. The lives of 230,000 children are at risk due to severe acute malnutrition. The report pointed out that the ongoing floods have worsened the situation in nutrition stabilization centers treating malnourished children in the region.
In addition to Borno State, flooding has also severely impacted Adamawa and Yobe states, with 12,500 people in Adamawa and 46,600 people in Yobe displaced by the floods. There are growing concerns over further flooding if excess water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon is released.
Nationwide, over 200 lives have been lost, and 800,000 people across 29 states have been affected by the floods, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The UN report also warned that the destruction of farmlands across Nigeria due to flooding poses a severe threat to food security. With tens of thousands of hectares damaged ahead of the harvest season, there are fears that food insecurity may worsen in the coming months.
“More than 32 million people in Nigeria are facing severe food insecurity,” the report said, referencing 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 that critical services continue to be provided to affected communities.
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