Cameroon struggles with cholera outbreak at Nigeria refugee camp

Health authorities in Cameroon are struggling to deal with the cholera outbreak in a Nigerian Refugee camp. The camp is situated on the border with Nigeria. The refugee camp on the Cameroon border has become overcrowded due to the devastating floods prevalent in Nigeria.

According to some sources, In the last week alone, the bacteria of cholera has killed three people and infected more than 80.

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So far, The camp in question, located on Cameroon’s northern border, is currently home to 76,000 Nigerians who have fled Boko Haram terrorist attacks. Structurally, The authorities had designed the camp to hold fewer than 15,000 refugees. However, it currently has more than five times that number.

Helen Ngoh, the spokesperson for UNHCR Cameroon, says the UN body needs support to contain the ongoing wave of cholera infections. In addition to that, support is needed to prevent future outbreaks of the infection in the refugee camp.

According to her, in Minawao, UNHCR needs at least 450,000 US dollars to increase the potable water supply, cover an existing gap of constructing 900 latrines, and improve waste management. All of these needs are highly urgent at this point.” she said.

According to the UNHCR, they investigate suspected cases and treat patients free of charge. The refugee agency says they are also working on finding out if the disease has spread to host communities.

Nigerian refugee Bulama is among the aid workers doing their best to try and raise awareness about the outbreak and teach civilians good hygienic practices.

Bulama says he has spoken about the disease to large numbers of families in the camp.

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Several hundred humanitarian workers were deployed to the camp and host communities to educate the refugees on prevention measures. These measures include respecting hygiene rules.

According to the statistics given out by the UN, more than 1,000 cases of cholera were reported in Nigeria in October.

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