Cholera: UNICEF donates emergency kits worth $69,000 to Borno Govt
By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri
The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday donated emergency response kits worth $69,075 to the Borno state government following the recent outbreak of Cholera disease in the State.
Daily Trust reports that the outbreak, which was declared on October 4th, 2024, has affected four local government areas, including MMC, Jere, Konduga, Mafa, and Monguno, with over 450 suspected cases reported and 17 cases confirmed.
While presenting the items in Maiduguri, the Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Rownak Khan, noted that Borno State has experienced recurrent cholera outbreaks since 2009, with the current outbreak being the latest.
Dr Rowank said UNICEF is committed to helping the Nigerian government, particularly Borno State to prevent and protect victims of cholera disease.
She emphasized that UNICEF has been actively involved in the response efforts, providing critical support in risk communication, hygiene promotion, safe water supply, cholera vaccination, and case management services.
“Am very pleased to announce that I am handing over 30 Acute Water Diarrhoea (90 units), and 50 beds to the Borno state government. We will be working hand in hand as we progress and continue our support. In terms of monetary, it is valued at 69,075 US Dollar which is equivalent of 113, 284, 213.60 Million Naira”
“This oral cholera vaccine that came. It was a joint effort between the government and the partner. So UNICEF is one of the partner. We also have other partners who also put a lot of effort to bring cholera vaccine to Nigeria.
“we have now delivered 300,000 dosage of cholera vaccine and those vaccines have already been administered, or like, you know, it’s an oral vaccine, so they were put in mouth. Now we are also bringing other additional doses. As I was coming here, I also came to know that some additional doses of about 600,000 are also coming.
“So I don’t have all the details, but I was told over 500,000, half a million people will be reached through this interventions.”she said.
The state government, represented by the Special Adviser to the Government on Health Matters, Dr. Abubakar Hassan, commended UNICEF’s rapid response and assistance, which has been instrumental in preventing and managing the disease.
The government also acknowledged the long-standing cordial working relationship with UNICEF, which has spanned over a decade.
The state government assured that these donations would be judiciously used to boost case management and save lives.
