By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The CEO/Country Director of Goal Prime Organization of Nigeria, Dr. Christopher. Chinedumuije has solicited for urgent intervention and support for the victims of fire disaster and host community of Boskoro Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp In Mafa LGA of Borno state.
Dr Christopher, during an assessment visit on Monday, said the devastating fire Disaster occured in the GGASS Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, causing significant displacement and loss of property for numerous IDPs.
He affirmed that the Organization through partnership with UNICEF Nigeria is also rehabilitating 20 blocks of communal latrines and has completed the construction of 9 latrines so far.
The Country Director, also called for further support and long-term assistance to the conflict affected people in Mafa LGA.
According to him, six communities within the camp and its surrounding host community were adversely affected, including Boskoro, New Arrival, Camp A, Gawa, New Arrival B, and Kwaltabul host community.
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“The fire incident resulted in the loss of essential personal items, such as biometric cards, food ration cards, and sanitation facilities, for the affected individuals.”
“Unfortunately, two children perished in the fire outbreak while several others sustained various degree of injuries and the root cause of the fire disaster remained unknown and undetermined while investigations was ongoing to revealed the cause of the fire.”
“The calamity include burning down of 1,501 shelters and 1,463 households were rendered displaced while an estimated 8,778 individuals were rendered homeless across all the genders of (males, women, boys, and girls) of the community that were affected by the fire incident,” Christopher said.
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Dr. Christopher added that , in addition to the immediate consequences of the fire disaster, the situation posed a high risk of cholera outbreak in Mafa. In 2022 Mafa experienced 216 suspected cholera cases, 7 culture-positive cases, and 2 deaths as the fire outbreak destroyed shelters and the risk of another cholera outbreak has increased significantly.
He noted that GOAL Prime Organization in collaboration with the WASH Sector, RRM Working Group, UNICEF, and Action Against Hunger, have provided improved WASH NFIs and shelter kits to the fire survivors.
While emphasizing that the community in Mafa remained extremely vulnerable as they struggle through waves of acute need, including a lack of access to food, livelihoods, and fragile water systems.
“In light of the increased risk of the cholera outbreak following the fire disaster, there is an urgent need for additional support and resources to address the health and sanitation needs of the affected population. “
“”This includes providing clean water, constructing new latrines, and increasing healthcare capacity to prevent and respond to potential outbreaks,” Dr. Christopher added.
He stressed that long-term assistance was critical to help the community rebuild their lives, including shelter reconstruction, livelihood support, access to health and education facilities..
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