NGO distributes hygiene kits to Borno, Yobe IDPs

Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organisation, has distributed 650 hygiene kits to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Borno and Yobe states, aiming to prevent disease and promote dignity.

READ ALSO:Sokoto State Government Distributes Mosquito Nets, Anti-malarial Drugs to IDPs’ Camps

Ms. Patricia Obroh, Head of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) department of the organisation, disclosed this during the monthly meeting of the WASH in Emergency Working Group in Abuja.

Obroh clarified that 500 hygiene kits were provided to IDPs in Damasak, Borno, and an additional 150 hygiene kits were distributed to IDPs in Machina, Yobe.

She explained that the distribution of hygiene promotion messages also aimed to increase awareness among displaced individuals about vital practices that can prevent disease spread and uphold good health in difficult living circumstances.

These messages, she said are information on proper sanitation, safe water usage, and personal hygiene practices, ultimately empowering individuals with the knowledge to safeguard themselves and their communities in displacement settings.

“We distributed Chlorine buckets to three schools in Potiskum LGA, Yobe, and provided 5,000 soaps for both schools and communities.

“Additionally, the organisation successfully drilled a solar-powered borehole in Ramin Kura IDP camps and for community members in Sokoto state”.

She also emphasised the importance of intervention in disease prevention, citing a notable increase in meningitis cases in Yobe state.

Jessica Akinrogbe, WASH Focal Point at the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reported that Bayelsa and Cross River are the two states recording cases of cholera, resulting in two fatalities.

She highlighted challenges contributing to the persistent rise in cholera cases in these states, including open defecation, water pollution, challenging terrains, migration, and a shortage of adequately trained personnel.

Mr Obinna Uche, UNICEF WASH Specialist, mentioned that the organisation distributed WASH Dignity kits to 18,000 individuals in Bokkos IDP camp in Plateau in response to the outbreak of communal clashes that resulted in displacement.

He explained that these items were prepositioned and provided as interventions to preemptively address potential water and sanitation issues that may arise in humanitarian situations.

The UNICEF representative commended the impressive turnout at the meeting, setting a positive tone for the discussions ahead.

According to report, the discussion at the meeting was the idea of integrating the WASH In Emergency dashboard into the Water Sanitation and Hygiene Information Management System platform.

The WASH in Emergency Working Group was established in 2012, when the country experienced serious devastating flood that affected 85 million people from 14 states.

The group has since remained active, especially in the North-East where IDPs exist and have responded immediately on outbreaks.

NAN/Wumi