UN Health Agency launches Program for Outbreaks and Humanitarian Emergencies

The member states of the World Health Organization (WHO) have at the 69th World Health Assembly (Geneva, 2016) reached an agreement to establish a new Health Emergency Program. The assembly which holds every May is attended by delegations from all of the World Health Organization’s member states. Health, financial, and operational policies of the health agency are created or renewed at this gathering.

This new programme is designed to complement and improve upon the health agency’s traditional roles with operational capabilities for outbreak and humanitarian emergencies. The World Health Organization also stated in a news release that the program is designed to equip communities, countries and regions with rapid and comprehensive support in avoidance, recovery and management of disasters, disease outbreaks, and other emergencies.

Under this new programme, while the director-general is to have ultimate authority, the responsibilities of the executive director include overseeing: strategic planning, staff and partner relations, program budget and risk and performance monitoring. The regional directors are also responsible for day to day management of emergencies, partner and intergovernmental relations and enforcing programme standards.

According to the WHO, there has already been financial support for the new program from some member states: Australia, Germany, Japan and Sweden.
With the 130 million people in need of humanitarian assistance worldwide, this agreement by the member states serves as a huge encouragement for the WHO. The director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr. Margaret Chan welcomed this development as she stated: “I particularly welcome the contribution of $50 million from the government of Japan, a sign of confidence in our new Health Emergencies Programme from a long-standing supporter of WHO’s work for emergencies.”

The member states’ delegates have agreed to a budget of $494 million for the 2016/2017 programme to help fulfill their new responsibilities. This is an increase of $160 million to the already existing budget for WHO’s emergencies work.  

WHO also reported that since February, several components of this new programme have already been used.  A major example according to Peter Graaff, the director of WHO’s Emergency Operations and Ebola Response is when $500 million was released to kick start operations within 24 hours of Dr. Chan’s declaration of Zika epidemic as a public health emergency concern.

This new programme is more standardized and is set to bring significant change in the World Health Organization’s handling of emergencies.

Written By: Ozioma Paul

The on going drought in East Africa .....

East Africa is experiencing one of the worst cases of drought and food insecurity. Lots of lives, and livestock have been lost due to the starvation and famine that has characterized this region in the past months. This is largely due to the poor rainfall in 2015 and the ongoing El Niño which has resulted in severe crop failures, this situation is being worsened by the recurring conflict in the region. 

 The conflicts that have gone on for a while in some parts of East Africa such as: Yemen, South Sudan, Burundi has resulted in high rates of displacement of people. This displacement is a contributing factor to the current state of East Africa especially in Ethiopia and South Sudan as regards food security, this is because when displacement occurs, people lose their lands, shelter, farmlands, food stock and livestock. Also, when people are displaced, they are separated from the little sources of food: such as markets and farmlands, water, and other basic necessities of life such as: proper health care and a means of income amidst others. 

Asides from the displacements, when there is crisis and fighting, there is instability and many people would be unable to plant crops.

According to the LA Times, “10.2 million Ethiopians are in critical need of food aid. International agencies are trying desperately to raise funds to prevent the food emergency from deteriorating into a full-fledged famine, but so far they say they have raised only a small portion of the cash they need to offer help. As El Niño continues into 2016, in some regions that have experienced the El Niño-related dryness, access to food is expected to deteriorate significantly.” Serge Tissot of the U.N’s Food and Agriculture Organization also stated that “the World Food Program has less than 5% of the funding it needs to help the people in Ethiopia”. The situation is very critical and as at now, livestock are being severely affected. Apart from the crop failure and death of livestock, about 2.1 million people are severely malnourished in Ethiopia.

The current state of East Africa is not far from full-fledged famine. The international bodies we usually would look up to for help do not have enough resources to completely combat the situation in these regions. It gets worse as the people are forced to consume that which would be used for the next planting season. This poses a threat to the little progress and development this region has recorded over the past decade.

Conclusively, if the conflict in East Africa continues to worsen, then most certainly the issue of food security will also continue to deteriorate. This serves as a call for international intervention firstly to help put an end to this prolonged crisis, provide food supplies to the affected people and then help improve on the state of crops and livestock.

Source: LA Times
Written By: Ozioma Paul

Burundi and the ongoing humanitarian crisis .....

Crisis erupted in Burundi about 2 months ago when President Nkurunziza decided to go for a third term, violating in the People's view an existing peace treaty.
The law however found him not guilty saying that his first election did not count as it was not done by public vote.
The interventions of the UN and the International community has yielded limited results, with the president and other political leaders deciding to proceed with the elections as planned despite the unrest. 

Burundi celebrated her 53rd independence on Wednesday July 1 amidst protests.
Six people were also killed on Wednesday amid the protests.
The UN has said the parliamentary elections held on monday is not a free and fair election, with the opposition boycotting the election.

Over the last weekend, some ten thousand more Burundians fled the country ahead of the parliamentary elections for fear of electoral violence.
The borders have since then been closed officially since the 29th of June as it is done normally for 48 hours during elections.
More people may be forced to escape through the forests.
Officially there are 144,000 registered Burundi refugees in 5 neighbouring countries. It is believed though that there are more unregistered refugees in the said countries.

Health, water and sanitation for the Burundi refugees have been severely underfunded, leaving the refugees in deplorable conditions, as only 13% of the needed $207 million for 200,000 Burundi refugees has been realised by the UNHCR and partners.

UNICEF in a statement made on the 3rd of July has warned that more children are bearing the brunt of the prolonged unrest and pre electoral violence in Burundi.
8 kids have lost their lives to this, with 3 of the deaths occurring in the last six days.
Among the said deaths were the death of a 4 year old who was killed by a stray bullet to the stomach and that of  a child who was killed by a grenade explosion.

“Preventing children from experiencing and witnessing violence was everyone's responsibility,” said Mr. Boulierac. 
Indicating that UNICEF had earlier called all levels of Burundian society, including the authorities, security forces and families, as well as the Government of Burundi, to use all influence to protect children and to ensure they were not exposed to violence, arbitrary arrest or unlawful detention. 
He concluded by saying that “Burundi is one of the poorest countries in the world, with one of the highest child malnutrition rates and figures on the top of the Global Hunger index. Prolonged insecurity that provokes repetitive displacement of people is likely to have a massive impact on an already vulnerable population."

Children are the leaders of tomorrow; the future of a nation. Early exposure to violence and instability is detrimental to their health, development and psychology of life and in the end may produce adults and leaders that are psychologically and emotionally handicapped.

Our hearts are with these innocent children who are caught in a web of conflict they did not start and we appeal once again to the members of the International community to rise up to the need of these severely impoverished and suffering people.
It is not enough to just give them a roof over their heads; their Health, Sanitation and the availability of safe portable water is crucial in the prevention of outbreaks.

We know that the International community may feel overwhelmed with the needs that have arisen in recent times across the world due to violence.
We implore world leaders to assist in minimizing the suffering of the displaced Burundians.

Female Education in Conflict Zones

Some 28.5 million children in conflict zones globally are prevented from having access to Education. (UN 2013 figures)

More than half of this population are girls.

The UN in 2012 launched an initiative; "Global Education First."
It was targeted at solving the under  prioritization of education in times of conflict. Which is often seen in the low funds allocated to education in conflict zones.

A mere 1.4 percent of humanitarian aid is spent on Education.

Anthony Lake; UNICEF Executive Director has said that :
"Education should never be a casualty of crisis…or a cost of conflict,"  "Education cannot wait for battles to end…or disasters to be averted… or funding to be available. Education cannot wait…because children cannot wait."


In times of conflict survival, security, food and some form of shelter is usually prioritized above all else.
Education becomes of little priority.

During wars it takes sheer will power and a strong determination by the parents and the government to keep the schools from closing down.
Try as they may, this often is not the case, especially when the lives of the pupils/students become threatened by going to or being in school.
Schools are meant to be safe havens, deliberately avoided by attacks and bombs.

However, this is not always so. In recent times thousands of schools have been attacked and in some cases are occupied by military personnel. Children have been caught in the middle of this chaos and massacred enmasse.

What chances does a girl in these regions have to access Education?

Very slim chances right?

The female child in some cultures is to be seen and not heard and right from birth she is being groomed for marriage and her education usually is of little concern.
So in times of conflict, her education is first and foremost not priority and easily stops.

In some cultures and religions a girl can only attend school if the teachers are women, or it is a girl's only school. Hence in the chaos that follows conflicts and wars, the system is disorganized and very few schools are open. The men are usually more in charge of the few open schools at this time, hence many girls are prevented from attending school.

Way Forward:

The protection of students and pupils in schools as well as their teachers and school workers should be prioritized.
The use of schools for military purposes should be stopped and attacks against schools should be duly treated as a violation of human rights.

Education should be incorporated into the evacuation plans during conflicts and should be duly funded.
It should not just be an after thought.

Education is the solution to many of the challenges being faced in local communities today.
When it is truncated during a war, the loss is immense and immeasurable as it has long lasting economic, social and political impacts.

Female education is a human right and the girl child should not be denied of it.
Putting structures in place to continue education in conflict zones will make more parents release their girls to go to school.
Let's bridge the gender based educational gap today by helping more girls in conflict zones attend school.

South Sudan crisis on the increase : The plight of women and children

There has been a surge in the ongoing South Sudan crisis.
Since the middle of April war crimes against women and children have increased drastically.

Thousands of lives have been lost since the onset of this crisis and more than 2 million people have been displaced. Multiple cease fire agreements have failed and the war seems to have no end in sight.

The international community's interventions have failed to generate the much needed result : the honouring of a signed peace deal or a peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflict.

Warring parties and leaders however seem to be oblivious to the suffering of the people of South Sudan.


It is common knowledge that women usually do not promote the starting of wars neither do they start wars. They however with their children often are impacted most adversely by war situations.

The woman, often not as fast as a man in escaping from dangerous situations is more often than not an endangered specie in war situations. She is often incapacitated in the protection of her own life for many reasons. Her not being fast or strong enough to flee from danger is a short coming; and when she is able to; she often times is slowed down by a baby strapped to her back or one or two toddlers hanging around her skirt.

Her much desired body given her by nature has also made her a prey to be feasted upon by wanton men during such situations.

The ongoing attack against women and children in South Sudan is disturbing and it is far more disturbing to see the rest of the world go to sleep when such large scale evil is on going, seemingly unchecked in today's world.

A statement released by the UN on the 28th of May 2015, shows the position of the body concerning the crisis :

"We continue to remind the political and military leadership of the SPLA and SPLA-IO of their responsibilities, in line with international law, including their responsibility to ensure the full protection of the civilian population, especially women and children, from violence and to spare them the effects of hostilities. The Government of South Sudan bears the primary responsibility for protecting its population from serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. We therefore call upon the Government to exercise that responsibility. The SPLA and SPLA-IO leaders must immediately put a stop to ongoing violations and abuses, issue clear orders for the immediate release of children associated with their forces and prohibiting sexual violence crimes. They must ensure the enforcement of these orders by field commanders, take concrete steps to identify and hold perpetrators accountable as well as facilitate access for humanitarian actors to continue providing life-saving assistance to the population."

This may not be enough to generate the much needed intervention at this point. the protection of the civilians in South Sudan should not be put primarily into the hands of an ailing government nor outsourced to the leadership of feuding parties.

Offenders need to be brought to book irrespective of their position or political affiliations, and more effective UN peace keeping in the region is important to prevent more war crimes.

UN peace keeping efforts in the ailing country has been said to be ineffective, due to poor planning, logistical challenges and lack of resources.
The peace keepers themselves fear for their lives, let alone the lives of the refugees they protect.
The poor foresight in organizing this peace mission has made it very difficult for the peace keepers to leave their base to go out to try to protect some more civilians.

The UN Security Council has also been accused of not giving enough attention to the South Sudan crisis. The efforts to restore peace to the region have been outsourced to  IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) and the seven-nation East African organization.

Sexual harassment against women and children among other war crimes have been used as war tactics to force the displacement of people or humiliate the people into submission.
In the current crisis gang rape, mass ethnic murders and looting of the goods and property of civilians is on going on a large scale and without the much needed caution.

Sex crimes have been found to be of varying severity, however their effects remain devastating and have been found to result in long term emotional, psychological, economic, health and political consequences.

It is time to take radical action!

The girls and women involved in war crimes are not mere figures, but human beings.

We need to put an end to the learned helplessness that has incapacitated individuals, state level authority bodies, national and international bodies and organizations.

Our women and children are being used as weapons of war, and lives are being destroyed in the face of failing policies and laws.
Consciences seem to have been seared as the perpetrators of these evils are allowed to continue to exist undisturbed.
Some are even elected into higher positions of authority after carrying out these horrific acts.

The protection of women and children (boys and girls) alike is our collective responsibility.

This is a shout out and a reminder to individuals, families, corporate organizations, nations and the International community at large.

Please do not close your eyes against war crimes!

Report it!

Stop it!

Seek the protection of the victims!

Expose the perpetrators!

Help restore peace to South Sudan!

#forabetterworld

Counting the cost : The Burundi Experience

As the levees break again ...

The decision to go on with the elections as planned for June by the Burundi President has resulted in an ongoing humanitarian crisis.

About 20 or more people have been said to have been lost to street violence with over 400 having sustained injuries of varying severity.

Over 100000 people have escaped into neighboring countries for fear of more violence.
It's been a traumatic experience for these helpless people who have been forced to leave all that they have worked for and own for fear of loosing the ultimate : their lives.

There have been reports of armed men and thugs exploiting some of these people as they flee. These exploitations have been in different forms : sexual and monetary to say the least.

Sadly over 3000 of the refugees have been infected by the cholera outbreak as they wait on the shores of Lake Tanganyika to be transported into Kigoli Tanzania.
31 lives have been lost to this epidemic and more deaths may occur if the living conditions of these people waiting to be evacuated is not improved.
As at Friday 300 to 400 new cases were said to be reported daily at this camp. ( UNHCR)

Between 1000 to 2000 people are transported daily by ferries and ships into Tanzania.
Most of the people camped are women and children.

Could all these have been avoided, One would ask?
Should any of these be happening at all?

In my opinion, I feel this could have been very well avoided if our leaders had thought of the consequences and sought for dialogue with the people instead of force.

Is the leadership of one man worth the blood of many?

I often wonder if the world would be a better place for everyone if we all considered the resultant effects of our actions and reactions before carrying them out.

Perhaps more violence, death, humanitarian crisis, wars and epidemics could be avoided.

Many thanks to the UNHCR for the roles they have played in providing a safe harbor and promptly moving the people to safety.
Vaccinations, head counts and care of the sick and the vulnerable (the elderly, young children and pregnant women) have been taken care of by them.

The WHO and the UN however could have been more disaster prepared and ready to deploy more health professionals to the scene and to move the people more quickly away from unsafe and unsanitary living conditions. That could have helped to prevent the cholera epidemic and the ensuing deaths.
The provision of food, blankets, tents, temporary toilets, insecticide treated nets and sleeping bags for the people waiting to board the ferries at Kagunga could have helped the situation more.

The Ministries of Health and appropriate ruling bodies in the neighboring countries could have been more proactive in protecting their citizens when the influx began.
2 Tanzanians were said to have been lost to the cholera epidemic.
There is a lot to learn from the Ebola epidemic. Some of those lessons could be used here to reduce the impact of this humanitarian crisis.
We do not always have to wait for the UN and the WHO before taking appropriate actions.

The International community should be more deliberate in their attempt to help restore peace to the nation.
Sanctions may need to be placed and penalties may be put in place for governments that refuse to follow constitutions and most importantly the path of peace.

Needless to say, If the situation in Burundi continues unabated, more avoidable deaths from violence and epidemics may occur.
The Socio economic situation of the people of this ailing nation will further plummet, which will further plunge the nation into poverty.

Let's not forget that Burundi is just recuperating from a decade of war.
More violence will further traumatize the people and may result in a cycle of creating citizens that resort more to violence in resolving issues.

This ongoing situation is pathetic for the already traumatized citizens of a struggling post war economy.

Let's stem the tide of violence in our communities. It's not all about you ........ or me .......
 Let's make reasonable decisions with our neighbors in mind.
#forabetterworld

More ... on the crisis in Burundi

President Nkurunziza has decided to go on with the elections as planned for June despite warnings from the US and the European Union that credible elections can not be held in Burundi at this time given the state of things.

A statement released by an African Union representative last week also reaffirms this.

Belgium, has decided to withdraw close to $ 6 million dollars aid, part of which was initially to help organize the elections.

President Nkurunziza has said that the people's protest are fueled by outside forces and a decision to step down at this time will lead to more crisis.

The opposition as well as the civilians have said that the President's third term bid is against the constitution. 

A court ruling in Burundi last week was however in favor of the President.

The United Sates has maintained  that this move by President Nkurunziza is against the agreement that ended the 12 year civil war barely a decade ago.

Protests have become a daily occurrence in Burundi since the announcement was made about two weeks ago.

About 50000 people have fled from their homes so as to avoid pre electoral violence and 18 lives have been lost.

If this trend continues, the Nation may be plunged into another severe humanitarian crisis.

More people may have to flee en masse into neighboring countries  thereby leading to further socio economic instabilities.

Severe food shortage may occur due to the closure of major food routes and agricultural industries as well as the inability of subsistence farmers to carry out their daily activities.

Death toll may rise and this occurs more commonly amongst the youths because they are usually at the fore front of the fight. 

This cuts short the lives of the youths and adolescents and this is disastrous for any nation and especially a developing post war Nation.

Epidemics of different sorts may also have free course to plague the people.

It's note worthy that UNICEF and ally organizations have been doing the best  possible to ensure adequate immunization in various dangerous and conflict stricken zones as well as in the various refugee camps in Africa.

Hence, we appeal to all affected parties to embrace a peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis for the betterment of the Nation as a whole and the common good and health of individuals, families and communities.

Conflict in Burundi : Public health implications

   When two elephants fight,it is the grass that suffers says a popular African adage.

This currently is the case in Burundi, where fear of electoral violence has made about 30,000 civilians take to their heels, leaving their homes and means of livelihood into neighbouring Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo.

One would imagine that the leadership of this nation would still be threading carefully and try to avoid flammable issues that may arouse or trigger the anger of a slowly healing nation and not begin to stoke again the embers of an already dying flame of civil unrest and war.

At this point in the history of Africa as a continent, it is time for national and community leaders to realize that it is the people first and not their own personal ambitions or opinions.

Democracy has been described as the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

Everything should be centred around the people's good and well being.

Photo credit: WFP / Tom Haskell

People over the past week have had to flee into neighbouring countries to avoid the pre electoral violence that may grow in intensity if President Nkurunziza continues to thread his current path.

The question one would ask is this; what are the Public Health implications of all of these? :

The mass displacement of people for whatever reason(s); be it war, terrorism, natural disasters or pestilence brings with it dire consequences and preventable causes should be avoided by all means.

- Loss of shelter : come rain storms, strong winds or sunshine, there is no sure place to take refuge from the elements. Death toll may rise from injuries due to this exposure, or from attacks by other humans and wild animals.

- Loss of source of food: many of the people in these communities are subsistence farmers. As people flee from their homes they live behind their farms and gardens untended. Planting season may pass, leading to a poor harvest season which further worsens existing food insecurity.
Farm animals; such as goats and cattle are also often left behind in this scramble for safety.
Usually at the end of it all, these animals may never be recovered as they may die due to lack of care, be stolen or just wander away.

- Loss of source of income and means of livelihood : people are deprived of their rights to go about sourcing for various means of livelihood by engaging in businesses and careers that may boost their standard of living. Hence, widening the poverty gap.

- Gender related violence: cases of rape and sexual exploitation are often reported in refugee camps and the usual culprits are children; male and female alike. Since people may have to live outside in the open or in temporary make shift shelters, there is a limit to what parents and care givers can do to protect their little ones from these scavengers. An example is the Chikali camp case of Malawi where a 6 year old girl was sexually molested by a 23 year old man.
Some cases were also reported at the Central African Republic refugee camps in Democratic Republic of Congo.
It has been said that these cases are often times under reported.

- Distorted Immunization schedules : the national calendar for Immunization is no longer followed and this may lead to the re emergence of vaccine preventable diseases and set backs of already achieved feats in immunization programs.

Lack of adequate health care for women and children: this often affects the under five population and pregnant women more.
There is often little or no access to antenatal care and medications for common childhood ailments.
Recently, two Nigerian women delivered babies in the forest as they fled from suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Bauchi Nigeria.
There have also been cases of deliveries in the Nigerian refugee camps.

- Food Insecurity : for the displaced people and the host community. Food availability and malnutrition were existing problems in Rwanda and parts of Democratic Republic of Congo, further influx of people into these areas may worsen the food insecurity as more people scramble for the already limited resources.

Malnutrition: in varying degrees have been observed in the past amongst refugees, and especially amongst the under 5 population. Parents are no longer able to put meals on the table, let alone bother about the nutritional value of the food available.

Education often takes a major hit, as schooling stops pending the time the refugees are able to settle down to a near normal life.

Price hikes: with more people competing for limited resources, the prices of almost everything spike: which includes housing, food, clothing and transportation.

The International community, the UN and humanitarian organizations are doing their best to alleviate the suffering of displaced people.
Let us bear in mind that their best may never be enough, as there is no place like home.

We hereby appeal to the International community and World leaders for timely intervention in this on going crisis in Burundi so as to avoid the looming disaster.
Peaceful resolution of conflicts is the way to go.

Burundi : The ongoing conflict

Last Friday in Burundi's capital: Bujurumba, 3 protesters were killed while 35 others (Red Cross) were injured in the demonstrations that followed President Nkurunziza's decision to go for a third term in office.
The people have said his decision negates the constitution and also the Arusha peace agreement that ended the civil war in 2005 which put the limit at two terms.

His supporters however are of the opinion that the limit does not yet apply to him as his first term in office was not by popular vote but by parliamentary election.
Over twenty thousand Burundians have fled to Rwanda while another 7000 fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo in anticipation of pre electoral violence.

Photo credit

The presidential election is set for June 26 and the protests began on the 26th of April a day after the president declared his intentions to contest in the upcoming elections.
The president has warned that street protesters will be severely dealt with.

Barely 10 years ago, Burundi ended a 12 year ethnic based civil war which spanned from 1993 to 2005.

This current crisis appears to be political and not ethnic as the incumbent president and his opposition are from the same ethnic group. Ethnic undertones however have not been completely ruled out.

The use of live ammunition against protesters has been reported and this is not acceptable.
In a civil society the people have the right to peaceful demonstrations to express their dissatisfaction over an issue.
Furthermore, over 300 arrests have been reported since the protests began last week.

This trend is disturbing to the International community, and all eyes are on Burundi, to see the steps that the President will take to restore peace to his nation.

We believe the people have the right to peaceful protests and the right to air their views and opinions without fear or intimidation.

This is a shout out to the President to listen to the people and respect their rights in the days ahead.

It is common knowledge that in the past, African leaders have failed to relinquish power peacefully.
This however is changing, and we expect to see further improvement in this area.

The U.S. Embassy in Bujumbura Burundi on the 26th of April released the statement that :
"Violent suppression of dissent and intimidation of citizens who have a right to protest peacefully is unacceptable in a nation that wishes to strengthen its democratic transition from a post-conflict society. "

We would love for the leadership of Burundi to follow the example recently set in Nigeria by President Jonathan Goodluck.

Refugees of the Central African Republic

Several decades of  unresolved conflicts has culminated in a state of sustained unrest in the CAR. This has resulted in her citizens fleeing their homes and villages in thousands. 

This situation has made refugees of the people of CAR in neighbouring countries, such as Chad, Cameroon, Republic of Congo and the Democratic republic of Congo.

Since march 2013, about 900,000 people have fled CAR due to violence and unrest resulting from a coup.

The violence in CAR has been reported to be subsiding and the number of people crossing the border to neighbouring countries has reduced, however, the people are reluctant to go back home and more people still trickle into neighbouring countries from CAR, from time to time.

The last mass movement of people from CAR began about 5 months ago (November 2014) resulting from violence in North-western CAR.

Some of the host nations, especially Chad are currently food insecure. The influx of refugees from CAR and even Nigeria has worsened the food insecurity in these areas and has stretched available local resources beyond its limit.

Cameroon has reported more than 35,000 refugees in the 2 year period since March 2013 including the recent 19000 plus people that crossed the border into Cameroon in February of 2015. Since 2006, Cameroon has been home to about 92000 refugees from CAR.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has become home to more than 80000 CAR refugees since March 2013.

About half of the 900000 CAR refugees have been said to be distributed in the surrounding nations.

"Life is hard for us" the refugees complain. Many of them remain homeless, hungry and severely malnourished. 

Malaria, water borne diseases like diarrhea and Cholera have been reported amongst them as they remain without access to basic amenities such as clean water and health facilities.

Very few of the children can attend school.

The EPI vaccination schedule has also been disrupted, leaving the refugees as well as host communities susceptible to vaccine preventable diseases.

The  citizens of the host nations are feeling the impact of this influx as food prices and house rent have increased due to increasing demand. 
Obviously an enormous strain is being placed on the limited available resources.

Cases of gender based violence has also been reported amongst the refugees. The MSF has said that many more cases go unreported.

Many humanitarian organizations have been helping to curb the crisis and relieve the suffering of the refugees.

UNICEF, WHO, UNHCR, UNFPA, World Vision, and ADES to mention a few.

However a lot still needs to be done. 

Children of host communities as well as refugees have been found to be suffering from severe and acute malnutrition (SAM).

Food supplies from relief organizations are reaching the people, however these supplies have been grossly insufficient.

As I write this post in the comfort and warmth of my abode, my heart goes out to those children whom tonight lie in the open fields, or in some make shift tent or partially completed buildings, exposed to the elements and insecurities.

As you set your dinner table tonight, please do not forget those whom have no food to eat, though are hungry. 

As we enjoy the Easter holidays this weekend, let us all remember those whom celebration is far from their consciousness due to far from comfortable living conditions.

Spread the word ........

#forabetterworld

The Boko Haram insurgency: implications for Public health ( in Nigeria ) by Seye Abimbola et al : A synopsis

Published on line : March 4 2015

Source : The Lancet; volume 385, 9972

http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(15)60207-0/fulltext

Main highlights of the publication :

-  The Boko Haram insurgency

-  Worsening health indices in the affected 3 states.

- The effect of the crisis on  vaccine preventable diseases such as polio and measles.

-  The scourge of diarrheal diseases, such as cholera and malaria amongst the displaced people.

- A call for help. 

 The Boko Haram group has for 6 years terrorized Northeast Nigeria. 3 states : Yobe Adamawa and Borno have been seriously and adversely affected.

The maternal and child mortality figures are not encouraging in these regions.

Public health threats such as Polio may re emerge due to this crisis. There is currently an ongoing Measles outbreak in the said region.

Diarrheal diseases have been found to be most prevalent in the official and unofficial camps. The official camps are said to host just about 150000 of the over 980000 internally displaced people.

There is poor access to health care and poor sanitary conditions in the said camps.

Pregnant women,people with chronic diseases and children have little or no access to healthcare and medications.

A call is being made to policy makers and global health leaders nationally and internationally to rise up to the challenges being faced in the camps and relieve the suffering of the people.