Jamilu Abubakar
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has provided humanitarian assistance to more than 7,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State who are currently taking refuge in Kashere community in Gombe State.
The displaced persons fled their communities following recent attacks in parts of Bauchi State and are now sheltered at a camp located in Kashere.
Speaking during the distribution of relief materials at the camp, the Chief of Field Office at UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Nuzhat Rafique, said the organisation was collaborating with the Gombe State Government and other partners to provide healthcare, sanitation and education support to affected families.
Rafique commended the state government for its prompt response to the humanitarian situation and the assistance being extended to the displaced persons.
She disclosed that UNICEF distributed about 600 hygiene and dignity kits as well as 56 household cholera kits aimed at improving sanitation and preventing possible disease outbreaks within the camp.
According to her, vaccination for children in the camp has already commenced, noting that many of the children had not received routine immunisation before their arrival.
Rafique added that plans were underway to establish safe learning spaces to ensure displaced children can continue their education while staying in the camp.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Shuaibu Abdulrahman, said the state government had activated a multi-sectoral incident management system to coordinate response efforts at the camp.
He explained that healthcare services for the displaced persons were being delivered through a nearby primary healthcare centre, where free medicines are being provided.
Abdulrahman also noted that vaccination campaigns had started in the camp, revealing that about 300 children had received routine immunisation, while 33 previously zero-dose children had been vaccinated.
He further revealed that some children in the camp were suffering from malnutrition, adding that the state government had approved funds for the procurement of ready-to-use therapeutic food to support affected children.
The Camp Secretary of the displaced persons in Kashere, Bala Babangida, commended UNICEF and other humanitarian partners for their intervention, noting that the support had helped improve sanitation and health conditions in the camp.
He, however, appealed for additional assistance, particularly specialised food for malnourished children and improved facilities to address overcrowding in the camp.