Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, has raised an alarm over a potential surge in malaria and waterborne diseases, including cholera, in Maiduguri.
This follows recent catastrophic floods that have exacerbated the region’s already fragile health infrastructure.
Earlier this month, heavy rains caused the Alau Dam to overflow, displacing almost 400,000 people. The floods severely damaged homes, markets, and health facilities, leaving communities in dire need of medical support.
MSF’s head of mission in Nigeria, Dr. Issaley Abdel Kader, expressed deep concern, emphasizing the urgent need for bolstered medical and humanitarian assistance. “We are very concerned about the precarious living conditions and the potential outbreaks of cholera and malaria,” Dr. Kader stated.
In response, MSF has mobilized teams to provide crucial services such as water, sanitation, healthcare, outpatient consultations, and mental health support.
However, the organization warns that unless immediate improvements are made in hygiene and access to healthcare, many people will remain vulnerable to illness.
Additionally, the devastation of markets and businesses has heightened concerns about an impending spike in malnutrition rates, as communities struggle to recover from the loss of their livelihoods.
This marks MSF’s second emergency response to flooding in northern Nigeria in recent weeks, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in the region.
