Cholera : High-risk Borno communities seek more support to prevent future outbreaks
By Ahmed Ahmed
Communities vulnerable to cholera outbreaks in Borno have appealed to the government, humanitarian organizations, and development partners to sustain and expand interventions aimed at preventing future outbreaks and improving public health conditions.
The appeal was made on Thursday during interactions with newsmen in Maiduguri and affected communities across Jere and Konduga Local Government Areas.
Speaking on behalf of residents of Mashamari Ward in Jere LGA, Village Head Malam Aisami Abba said the community, with an estimated population of more than 120,000 people, recently faced a severe cholera outbreak that threatened many lives.
He commended the Borno State Government, led by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations for their timely response.
According to him, organizations including International Alert, Voluntary Aid Initiative among others supported affected households with hygiene kits, sanitation facilities, hygiene promotion campaigns, and community awareness programmes.
He noted that the interventions significantly reduced the spread of the disease and improved hygiene practices among residents.
Abba explained that Mashamari hosts a large number of internally displaced persons from several local government areas, placing enormous pressure on available services and infrastructure.
While the outbreak has been brought under control, he stressed that more support is needed in the areas of healthcare, water supply, sanitation, agriculture, livelihoods, and emergency response services.
Similarly, Bukar Lawan, a household head in Dalori Gari community of Konduga LGA, recalled how his daughter survived cholera after receiving medical attention through referral support provided during the intervention.
He emphasised that inadequate water and sanitation facilities remain major challenges and called for additional WASH projects and toilet construction to prevent future outbreaks.
On his part, Amb. Musa Umar,Executive Director of Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI), said the intervention was funded by Start Network and implemented in partnership with CAFOD, International Alert and JDPC
He explained that the 45-day project included water trucking, construction of emergency latrines, hygiene promotion, infection prevention measures, and distribution of essential supplies.
Umar added that community volunteers and response structures established during the project would help sustain cholera prevention efforts.
He reiterated the need for continued investments in safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and livelihood support across vulnerable communities in Borno.
