The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is concerned by the humanitarian impact of increasing insecurity in northwest Nigeria due to conflict between armed groups, not far from the areas where the IRC and its partners currently operate. In Zamfara and Sokoto states, armed attacks have displaced at least 10,000 people and killed at least 92 throughout March and April. Additionally, many others have been kidnapped in these attacks.

As a result of these attacks and consequent displacement, many people are residing in open spaces with minimal belongings and without basic necessities. More than half of the people affected by these attacks are women, which leaves them at risk of exploitation and abuse. Urgent humanitarian assistance is needed to meet the basic needs of these communities, namely water and sanitation, health, and protection services.

Babatunde Ojei, Country Director for the IRC in Nigeria, said:

“We are appalled by the brutal attacks on civilian men, women and children, which is yet another reminder of the violence that has become unacceptably common in northwest Nigeria. The IRC stands united with the families of the civilians affected and calls on all parties to uphold the protection of civilians and relevant humanitarian laws’

The northcentral and northwest zones of Nigeria face a complex crisis involving long-standing ethnic and religious tensions, often leading to attacks and banditry. Criminal groups carry out kidnappings and thefts along major highways. Over recent years, this crisis has escalated, causing widespread displacement throughout these regions.

The IRC has been working in Nigeria since 2012. The IRC operates in Zamfara, Katsina states and supports the work of partner organizations in Sokoto in northwest Nigeria. We provide both immediate lifesaving and life-sustaining activities as well as medium-term recovery programs. The IRC’s programming includes primary health, nutrition and reproductive health care activities; educational support services for out-of-school youth, women’s protection and empowerment activities, water and sanitation programming, and economic recovery and development activities.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Rescue Committee (IRC) .

Malaria remains a significant public health concern in many parts of the world, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries like Nigeria, where the disease is endemic.

For many families in Nigeria, the threat of mosquito bites poses a constant risk, impacting both their health and financial stability. However, the use of Long-Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLINs) has been a game-changer, especially for families like that of Mr Unguwar Ayuba, residing in Maikunkele locality, Niger State. 

Mr Ayuba and his family have been sleeping under the LLIN for two years and have only positive news to share. 

“Using mosquito nets has not only prevented my household from falling sick, but it also allowed me to save more money for other essential needs”, he says with a grin. 

Mr Ayuba recalls that before his family started sleeping under the LLIN, he spent an average of 15 thousand Naira bi-monthly on the treatment of malaria.

“Now, I ensure my family sleeps under the net every night and no longer worry about mosquito bites. It has helped me focus more on work and worry less about the children not attending school regularly due to illness. 

I appreciate those who brought the initiative to us and would plead for them to make the net available for other families”, he adds. 

Mr Ayuba was one of the beneficiaries of the LLIN distributed as part of a local health initiative by the Niger State Government and its partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022.

The aim is to eliminate malaria in the country by 2030.  

While Nigeria continues to bear a substantial burden of malaria cases globally, significant progress has been made in the fight against the disease. According to the 2023 World Malaria Report, malaria cases in the country have plateaued since 2015, with an estimated annual caseload of about 63 million yet showing a downward trend in malaria-related deaths.

However, children under five years and pregnant women remain especially vulnerable to malaria, highlighting the continued need for preventive measures.

The distribution of LLINs is among the measures adopted by the government in its quest to eliminate malaria in the country. The Long-Lasting nets Treated with insecticides, not only repel mosquitoes but also contribute to reducing mosquito populations over time, thereby curbing the spread of malaria within communities.

In sustaining the fight against malaria in Nigeria, WHO has been playing a pivotal role by providing guidance, resources, and technical assistance to federal and state governments. Collaborating with the Nigerian government, through the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), WHO with funding from global funds facilitates coordination among stakeholders and offers technical support in guiding policy formulation and response.

Joining Nigeria to commemorate 2024 World Malaria Day, WHO Country Representative in Nigeria Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo, represented by Dr Alex Chimabru, the Deputy Country Representative says the fight against malaria is not just a health issue, it is a matter of social justice and human rights. 

Reiterating WHO’s continual support to FMoH/NMEP and all other Malaria partners through the provision of technical support and guidance to implement the activities necessary to meet the National goals, Dr Mulombo states that “By accelerating our efforts to expand access to life-saving interventions, improve health systems, and address the underlying determinants of malaria transmission, we can create a more equitable world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

Let us change the narrative now and work together to overcome the challenges that stand in the way of malaria elimination. Through collective action, innovation, and unwavering commitment, we can achieve our shared goal of a malaria-free future for all”.

World Malaria Day, held on 25 March every year aims to raise awareness of the life-threatening disease. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate the Fight Against Malaria for a More Equitable World’, highlights the need for better political intervention in malaria control and prevention.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.

International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) actively engaged in the humanitarian response in the country urgently call on all parties to the conflict to respect the civilian nature of displacement sites, to protect civilians and to allow for continued lifesaving support to affected populations who remain in dire need of assistance.

It is the third time a displacement site has been indiscriminately bombed in less than six months, killing at least 18 people and injuring 32 more. INGOs strongly condemn the indiscriminate shelling of displacement sites, which contravenes International Humanitarian Law.

Overcrowded displacement camps are no longer safe spaces for the civilian population, especially for women and children. In addition to indiscriminate shelling, the close proximity of heavy artillery with the camps together with the widespread presence of armed elements within the sites have resulted in a rise of security incidents endangering both the affected populations and aid workers. Fighting has also intensified in the neighbouring province of South Kivu, where over 500,000 Internally Displaced Persons hosted in Minova are also exposed to the risk of shelling and insecurity resulting in recurring forced displacements.

After fleeing extreme violence, men, women and children arrive in dire financial, physical and psychological conditions in the sites, only to face further protection risks, including sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), due to the presence of armed elements. Despite humanitarian organisations reporting a rising number of assaults and killings, including a reported weekly average of 50 SGBV incidents in the camps, the situation has significantly worsened. In April alone, over 5,000 people sought psychosocial support in Lushagala camps 1 and 2 with a great number reporting sexual violence in less than 72 hours. Moreover, humanitarian access is hindered by insecurity on a daily basis leaving the population without much needed assistance.

INGOs have continuously advocated for the protection of civilians as the conflict in North and South Kivu intensifies in complete disregard of the Luanda Peace Process. In the first quarter of 2024, the monthly average of artillery fire has resulted in two and a half times as many civilian casualties compared to late 2023.

As indiscriminate attacks on displacement sites are becoming more frequent, the humanitarian toll has reached a breaking point while the delivery of aid becomes more challenging. This is not a time for business as usual. We are calling for the immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties of the conflict to abide with International Humanitarian Law and protect civilians in conflict. The international community has a responsibility to urgently use all diplomatic means at their disposal to facilitate a political solution to the conflict. Warring parties must protect civilians and civilian settlements and must allow for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver impartial and neutral lifesaving services to the vulnerable population.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.

It was around 10 am when 55-year-old Usman Alasan, with his megaphone got to the nomadic settlement of Dongawaki, located at Sule Tankarkar Local Government Area (LGA), in Jigawa State, to announce the arrival of the vaccination team.  

A few minutes later, Ramatu Ali, a mother of five, who had also lost her 12-year-old son Ambali, to meningitis some weeks earlier,  left her chores to gather all the children in her compound to the vaccination post situated opposite her home. 

The children received the new meningitis vaccine (called Men5CV) that protects against five strains of meningitis.

Ramatu says “They must all get vaccinated because I don’t want any of my family or relatives to have such an experience.” 

Recalling the near-death incident of her son, she says “The community had thought he was dead when suddenly opened his eyes and was rushed to the hospital.  He was sick earlier, running temperature and complaining of a headache.

Ambali received free treatment at the General Hospital in Gumel, with support from the Jigawa State Government, Medeccins San Frontieres (MSF) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Although recovered, Ambali still has sores on his body as a result of the ailment. 

In Nigeria, an outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) serogroup C outbreak led to 1742 suspected meningitis cases, including 101 confirmed cases and 153 deaths in seven of 36 Nigerian states (Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe, Zamfara) between 1 October 2023 and 11 March 2024. 

To quell the deadly outbreak, a vaccination campaign was undertaken on 25 – 28 March 2024 to initially reach more than one million people aged 1-29 years.

Ambali and his mother in front of his compound after recovery from meningitis

For the campaign, the government of Nigeria through the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency partnered with the WHO and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance pioneered the use of Men5CV which offers a powerful shield against five major strains of bacteria (A, C, W, Y and X) in a single shot. 

“Meningitis, a vaccine-preventable disease, is causing unnecessary and preventable deaths in many populations. WHO has prequalified the Men5CV vaccine as safe and effective, capable of preventing future outbreaks and saving lives by protecting against the five bacterium types causing meningitis. WHO urges partners and other stakeholders to join hands with governments in eliminating meningitis by 2030 and assures continued support in maximizing vaccine benefits in Nigeria. says the WHO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr Walter Kazadi Mulombo.

In the three states (Jigawa, Bauchi, and Yobe) where the campaign took place, the target population were covered at 103%, 101%, and 45% respectively. 

“Most of our children have received the vaccine. We want to prevent sickness and deaths from meningitis across our villages,” said Mukarram Rabilu, the village head of the Fulani nomadic settlement who took his time to stand at the vaccination post to monitor the exercise. 

Meningitis is a serious infection that leads to the inflammation of the membrane surrounding and protecting the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis according to WHO, is transmitted from person to person through droplets of respiratory and throat secretion. 

During the campaign, Mr Hassan Shehu Usman, an official from NPHCDA, said additional vaccination centres had been set up to ensure the effective administration of vaccines to individuals aged one to 29.

He also highlighted the intensification of an awareness campaign to educate people about the importance of immunization.

To implement the campaign, WHO, played a vital role in providing leadership, coordination, and support to the Nigerian government in their request for the new MenFive vaccines from the stockpile of the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision.

Additionally, WHO supported the training of health workers on vaccination skills,  surveillance of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) and good practices to ensure the smooth implementation of the campaign.

The campaign was successful, with  1,003,945  individuals vaccinated in high-risk areas as a result of the collaboration with other development partners, including UNICEF, healthcare workers, government officials, and volunteers.  

The conjugate vaccine was developed in partnership between PATH and the Serum Institute of India and funded by the UK government’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Nigeria.