Solidarités International Contributes To COVID-19 Awareness In Northern Nigeria

Solidarités International, a non-profit organisation working in areas of conflict and natural disasters to provide quick and effective support for people in life-threatening situations, says it is  currently providing precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Northeast and Northwest Nigeria where conflicts have displaced millions of its population.

Since COVID-19 pandemic broke out in Dec. 2019 and the first case reported in Nigeria on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020, COVID-19 in the country has recorded a rise, reaching 171,324 confirmed cases up to date. 

A total 4,382 active cases have been reported, 164,798 cases discharged, and 2,134 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

In response to this health emergency, Solidarités International, with the collaboration of the European Union, partnered with the NGO Intersos to implement activities to curb the spread of the virus among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities in Borno, Adamawa and Zamfara states. 

Their teams have carried out mass awareness campaigns, built hand-washing stations, and distributed COVID-19 kits including soap, detergent, and jerry cans for water storage. 

Pamphlets were also distributed to communities with messages raising awareness of protective measures and instructions for use, cleaning and disinfection.

“We were not able to access soap and other basic items needed to prevent COVID-19 before Solidarités International intervention,” says Ya’dawa Umara, a resident of an IDP camp in Mashidimami, Borno State.

The distribution was carried out in line with social distancing measures and in collaboration with relevant partners to identify areas and households at increased risk of infection. 

The organisation said more than 2,800 households benefited from these kits.

“Providing material assistance in times of crisis is essential to support changes in practices, particularly in terms of hygiene. This allows access to soap, the first tool in the prevention of COVID-19,” says Lora Vicariot, head of programmes in Nigeria for Solidarités International.

Solidarites International’s work in Nigeria is not limited to the fight against COVID-19. For several years, the NGO has been implementing projects in the fields of water, sanitation, hygiene, waterborne diseases, food security and shelter, to help displaced populations fleeing the attacks of armed groups, and host communities.