Nigeria: UNICEF medical team in flood zone to prevent disease outbreaks

A team of medical experts has been deployed by UNICEF to Mokwa Local Government Area in Nigeria to help flood victims and prevent disease outbreaks. Part of Niger State, the Mokwa area was recently subjected to heavy flooding that killed 200 people and displaced several thousands. The UNICEF team aims to support vulnerable persons and provide healthcare services to women and children affected by the flooding. UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene specialist, Teresa Pamma, told The PUNCH that the medical team would also provide special care for pregnant women to prevent infection and promote maternal care. Pamma also noted that many people need psychological help to recover from the trauma caused by the flooding. In this sense, the UNICEF team will organise recreational activities for children to ensure that they are not completely affected by their precarious situation.
Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, who visited the UNICEF camp in the Mokwa area, thanked the international agency for their intervention in support of flood victims.