In Nigeria, 35 states have been devastated by the flooding in 2022, and Anambra State, located in the Southeast region, is one of the worst-hit areas.
As part of WHO’s emergency response to Anambra State, the organization supported the state government in setting up health clinics and other emergency services to urgently confront the health consequences of the disaster.
During the handover of medical consumables in Anambra, the WHO State Coordinator (SC), Dr Adamu Abdulnasir, stated that WHO is collaborating with the State Ministry of Health (SMOH) to provide medical services and strengthen disease surveillance across six (6) affected LGAs to ensure timely intervention in the event of a disease outbreak.
With the affected communities facing the risk of disease outbreaks and other health emergencies associated with floods, the WHO donated items including antimalarial adult tablets, dispersible, and injections; Rapid Diagnostic Test Kits (RDT) kits for malaria; assorted antibiotics; anti-hypertensives; anti-diabetics; analgesics; sanitary pads; syringes; intravenous sets; cartoons of noodles; buckets with taps for hand washing and intravenous fluids; chlorine for water treatment; disinfectants; chlorine for water treatment; and disinfectants; as well as health resource manuals and treatment guidelines.
Dr. Abdulnasir said the donations will ensure effective responses to the acute healthcare needs of people in the affected communities. "The flood poses an increased risk for infectious disease outbreaks, including cholera, malaria, and typhoid fever." The rapid diagnostic test kits donated by WHO to the state will ensure speedy detection and response to such outbreaks.
Many houses and health facilities are submerged, taking a heavy toll on the psychological and mental health of the people. "At least 675,953 people in 622 settlements across seven LGAs are affected, and 41,000 are sheltered in 14 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps within the state," he said.
The wife of Anambra state Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, accompanied by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Afam Obidike, accepted the donated items and thanked WHO for the timely donations and technical assistance to the state in response to the flooding.
Dr. Soludo said WHO has always been a reliable partner and supporter in difficult times, and the emergency medical supplies as well as essential medicine will be put to immediate use to alleviate the sufferings of people in various IDP camps dotted across the affected LGAs.
Healthcare access
The medical supplies, kits, and materials donated by WHO have been used to set up health clinics in the IDP camps because of the disruption of routine health services.
Furthermore, the donated cholera RDT kits are part of the emergency preparedness response to an intended cholera outbreak in the aftermath of the flood. WHO is also supporting the SMOH to improve the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) situation in the IDP camps and has activated a disease surveillance and early warning system to strengthen response capacities for epidemic-prone diseases across the entire state.
Additionally, WHO has built the capacity of focal persons and volunteers on surveillance, early disease case detection, and reporting.
High-level advocacy
A high-level United Nations mission led by the UN Resident Coordinator (RC) in Nigeria, Mr. Matthias Schmale, and officials from the WHO, United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), accompanied by other top state government officials, including the Secretary to State Government, underscored the gravity of the situation in the state.
The visit by the RC was to undertake a first-hand assessment of the situation and discuss the response with the government, partners, and other stakeholders.
"The damage and losses are staggering to see and the worst in a decade!" said Mr. Schmale.
Flooding has become a perennial environmental risk and challenge for people in Anambra State, especially those residing in coastal areas along the course of the river Niger, from Anambra West in the north to Ogbaru in the south.
