EU, ALIMA donate N192m to help tackle cholera in Nigeria

The European Union (EU) and the Aliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) has donated €400, 000 (or N192 million) in response to the cholera outbreak in Yobe State.

The EU Embassy in Abuja disclosed this  in a statement on Tuesday.

It said in response to the cholera outbreak in Nigeria, the EU was supporting medical humanitarian NGO ALIMA in an ongoing effort to reduce deaths in Yobe state with €400 000 (or N192 million).

According to the statement, as of Sept. 26 2021, no fewer than 88,563 suspected cases of cholera and 3,057 suspected deaths were reported in Nigeria.

It added that 78 per cent of the states in the country have reported suspected cholera cases.

“Children between 5 and 14 years old are the most affected, while the Northeast state of Yobe has recorded one of the highest incidences.

“The EU’s support will allow our partner, ALIMA, to strengthen case management, to reduce fatality rates, as well as to support referrals from communities or to ensure access to safe water and sanitation in health facilities,” said Bart Witteveen, the Head of EU’s Humanitarian Aid Office in Nigeria.

According to the statement, the current outbreak has spread across the border with Niger.

The statement described the situation as an additional challenge as the health system is also under pressure due to the current malaria season.

It noted that the intense rainy season had increased the risk of flooding and of malnutrition cases.

Responding, Dr Anthelme Seka, ALIMA’s Medical Coordinator in Nigeria, said that the “support from the EU is critical because it will help save more lives.

“Thanks to this funding, ALIMA is already able to begin its actions on the ground to respond to the ongoing outbreak, with the sole objective being to provide quality emergency medical care to the most affected local communities.”

It Further stated that access to vulnerable communities for cholera vaccination was increasingly challenging, due to insecurity triggering population movements in the country’s northern regions. (NAN)