From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Amid the surge in Lassa fever cases in Benue State, the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) has intensified its emergency response by distributing 900 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and dignity kits to displaced households across nine IDP camps, targeting high-risk, densely populated settings to curb transmission.

The distribution was kick-started at the International Market IDPs Camp housing displaced families from Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of the state.

Chief Field Officer, UNICEF, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, while handing out the kits, explained that to reinforce infection prevention and control, contactless hand washing stations are being installed throughout the camps, enabling safe hygiene practices while minimising cross-contamination, an essential step in containing viral outbreaks.

She said the kits, which include safe water storage containers and essential hygiene items, would equip vulnerable households with the means to maintain sanitation and reduce exposure to rodent-borne infection.

Working in close partnership with state health authorities, Chiluwe said UNICEF was combining supply distribution with community engagement and risk communication efforts to mitigate the outbreak and safeguard affected populations, particularly children.

She stated that “in the face of the current Lassa fever outbreak, hygiene is our first line of defence, these kits and the new contactless hand washing stations do more than provide comfort; they are lifesaving tools.

“By ensuring households can store water safely and wash their hands without the risk of surface contact, we are significantly reducing the risk of viral transmission and protecting children from a preventable tragedy.”

Acting General Manager, Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (BERWASSA), Mr Tony Nkpen stated that following Lassa fever outbreak in the State sometime ago, BERWASSA made request to UNICEF, adding, “through their support, we were able to get over 3,500 WASH and Dignity kits to support IDPs and vulnerable persons within the state.

Nkpen, who was represented by the the Rest Officer, WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group, BERWASSA, Mathew Nyamve, said they were on ground to ensure the kits get to the vulnerable persons to cushion their  plight in terms of the Lassa fever outbreak. “We want to thank our partner, UNICEF, for supporting us each time we make a request. We will continue to ensure judicious use by making sure the items get the beneficiaries.”

Some of the beneficiaries, Eunice Nyinongo, Ayila Mbasalam, Victoria Agber, Utair Torgenger and the camp woman leader, Mrs Ruth Ajinde, appreciated UNICEF for the intervention, stating that it was of great benefit to them. Nyinongo, particularly expressed relief stating that she would not need to spend her money to buy the hygiene items but spend on food items like spices, salt and others. She prayed for God to replenish UNICEF to do the same to others.

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