UNICEF Situation Report (NIGERIA) CHOLERA AND FLOODS Sitrep #5 covering 23 September–4 October 2010 Highlights Information and data collection since the last sitrep has been erratic, largely due to the national holidays. Nonetheless, a total of 2,137 new cases of cholera and 95 deaths from the disease were reported by six states during the reporting period. The epidemic also spread to six new local governments. We are unable to report any change in the flooding situation since the interim report last week because reports from the field assessment teams from UNICEF’s Kaduna and Bauchi field offices have not yet been filed. 1 Situation overview A total of 26,240 cases of cholera have now been reported since the beginning of the epidemic, with 1,182 deaths. A total of 2,137 new cases were also reported since the last sitrep eight days ago with 95 new deaths. The National Independence celebrations and associated holidays may have affected data collection from the states as only six of the seriously affected states were able to provide data updates during this period. The case fatality rates (CFRs) may seem to have recorded a minimal drop nationally, but this can be attributed to non-availability of data rather than actual reduction in caseload. Significantly high CFRs are still reported in Plateau, Kaduna and Katsina states at 23.0%, 9.0% and 7.6% respectively (see Table 1). Women and children continue to account for 80% of reported cases, according to the Red Cross and the state ministries of health reports. Table 1. Cholera incidence and case fatality rate, by state, at 4 October 2010 New CASES New since DEATHS LGAs LGAs New Total last since last Case S/N State in state affected LGAs cases sitrep Total deaths sitrep fatality rate 1 Rivers 19 9 0 314 0 13 0 4.1 2 Cross River 15 4 0 319 0 8 0 2.5 3 Osun 30 1 0 87 0 2 0 2.3 4 Ekiti 16 2 0 381 0 0 0 - 5 Adamawa 21 12 0 1,816 52 104 4 5.7 6 Bauchi 20 20 0 7,783 0 175 0 2.2 7 Borno 27 21 0 5,822 0 264 0 4.5 9 Gombe 11 11 0 1,998 0 113 0 5.7 10 Jigawa 27 13 5 632 165 35 6 5.5 11 Kano 44 11 0 513 0 27 0 5.3 12 Plateau 17 5 0 126 58 29 11 23.0 13 Taraba 17 5 0 502 0 35 0 7.0 14 Yobe 17 12 1 2,009 521 129 29 6.4 15 Zamfara 14 5 0 1458 1274 58 45 4.0 16 Kaduna 23 7 0 301 67 27 0 9.0 17 Katsina 19 18 0 2,128 0 162 0 7.6 18 Sokoto 23 1 0 51 0 1 0 2.0 TOTAL 360 157 6 26,240 2,137 1,182 95 4.5 Source: Federal Ministry of Health, state ministries of health, NEMA and WHO surveillance reports. 2 The Federal Government’s response, reported by NEMA, focused mostly on relief operations for the affected population in the states of Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Jigawa. Flooding situation update The following was reported in the interim sitrep circulated on 30 September and reproduced here in the consolidated sitrep with minor changes. Sokoto State Total population: 3.7 million Estimated displaced persons: 35,000 according to Nigerian Red Crosss; 20,000 according to NEMA (cumulative since beginning of flooding) The Nigerian Red Cross says that the most affected areas are the six local government areas (LGAs) of Goronyo, Kware, Wamakko, Rabah, Isah and Gada in which a total of 33 villages/communities are affected, with an estimated 35,000 people displaced. Other severely affected LGAs include Wurno, Gwadabawa, Silame, Tambuwal, Kebbe, Shagari, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, and Sabon Birnin. The University of Sokoto (Uthman Dan Fodio University) is still cut off from the city of Sokoto. So far, 17 camps have been established to cater for the IDPs. Table 2. Sokoto State temporary camps and their estimated population Estimated Camp population Adamu Muazu Secondary School 7000 LGA Secretariat 1000 LGA Quarters 1500 Court 50 Junr Secondary School 700 Primary School, Goronyo 89 Kawadata Primary School 300 Kudakuda 289 Doliyal 250 Gidan Malam Salihu 280 Gari Boye 65 11,523 Source: National Emergency Management Agency and Sokoto State Emergency Response Agency Kebbi State Total population: 3.3 million Estimated displaced persons: 45,000 (cumulative since beginning of flooding) Twelve LGAs are severely affected: Augie, Argungu, Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, Bunza, Suru, koko/Bese, Bagudo, Shanga, Yauri. Jega, and Aiyama. Bagudo is the most affected with over 80 villages flooded, with 26 in Augie, 19 in Argungu, 14 in Birnin Kebbi, 5 in Kalgo and 12 in Bunza. Potable water is a major challenge in Bagudo LGA due to contamination of the shallow wells. 3 We are still awaiting detailed data on the exact number of people in the temporary camps established in public buildings, schools, colleges, hospitals. Some of the camp locations are: • Sarkin Sani primary school • Kanta College Argungu • Natsini Day secondary school • Tiggi General Hospital • Yalema primary school • Gwadangaji primary school • Bagudo primary school • Nayelwa primary school • Bunza Old primary school • Dakin Garin primary school • Dolekaina primary school • Makera primary school Jigawa State Total population 4.4 m Estimated displaced persons 1,000 (cumulative since beginning of flooding) An estimated 500–1000 people in Jigawa State, particularly from Ringim LGA which was severely affected, may still be displaced and possibly accommodated by community members and residents of the less-affected communities. International media are reporting very high numbers of displaced persons ranging from 2 million people to 50,000 families, etc., but both the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) have denied these reports. In a letter to the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Bauchi, the Jigawa State SSG reported that most of the displaced population are taking shelter with friends and relatives in the community and asked UNICEF to visit the state in order to assess the extent of the damage as most of the school structures affected by the floods may not be conducive for learning. He explained that most of the affected population suffered losses in stored crops and farmlands. Kano State Total population: 9.3 million Estimated displaced persons: 1,927 (cumulative since beginning of flooding) One of the affected states is Kano, flooding was said to have affected 20 of the 44 LGAs. A total of 1,877 persons were initially reported to have been displaced, and are being supported by relatives in their communities. Only one LGA reported having about 50 people camped in a primary school building but no data has been provided at 30 September. 2. Humanitarian needs It has been difficult to assess the situation, especially in Sokoto and Kebbi states, as most of the access roads have been damaged or rendered useless by the floods. Information gathering has also been extremely difficult as most government officials are declining to provide official data to UNICEF or other humanitarian organizations. We have relied mostly on telephone 4 conversations to get information on numbers of displaced persons and disaggregated data to help in planning specific interventions in line with UNICEF CCCs. When NEMA was consulted, they said that disaster data needs to be cleared by the affected states before they can be shared with the UN or other stakeholders. It is however obvious that the actual number of the “affected” as well as the “displaced” population in the three states of Sokoto, Kebbi and Jigawa have been inflated in media reports. Kebbi State Government and NEMA have provided relief materials such foods, blankets, mats, clothing materials, etc. to IDPs, although the supplies may be inadequate. Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and other philanthropic individuals have also supported with relief materials, especially food and non-food items. Among the critical needs are potable water and sanitation facilities in the camps. Kebbi State and the affected local governments are currently supplying water by water tankers but there are fears of contamination. Despite on-going hygiene promotion activities in the camps, the situation is far from satisfactory and toilet facilities inadequate. There is urgent need to provide adequate water and sanitation facilities in the camps to avoid outbreak of waterborne and related diseases. Most of the displaced persons are camped in schools which mean that normal school learning activities in the affected areas are disrupted both at primary and secondary school levels, which may require programmatic intervention to establish learning spaces for children. 3. UNICEF programme, inter-agency collaboration and key partnerships Kebbi and Sokoto states Both Sokoto and Kebbi state governments, through their SEMAs, are coordinating the emergency response activities. NEMA has also been providing food items and other relief materials including the evacuation of IDPs. MSF, the National Primary Health Development Agency and the Nigerian Red Cross Society are providing mobile clinics for vaccination and other health-related support. The Red Cross is also assisting in the management of small health posts and provision of health education talks and first aid treatments in the temporary camps. WHO and UNFPA are also providing technical assistance and supplies. Kano State UNICEF had prepositioned WASH and Health supplies with the KANO state SEMA during the EPR process at the beginning of the year. 4. UNICEF response UNICEF delivered the following supplies the most affected states of Sokoto and Kebbi in the last two weeks.