In an effort to tackle the escalating outbreak of cholera in Lagos State, the Government of Japan has committed $1 million to the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for an emergency intervention in the state.
The project, tagged Emergency Support for Cholera Response and Preparedness, is a 12-month programme designed to strengthen local capacities, enhance community awareness, and improve early response mechanisms to prevent future outbreaks from escalating.
It will be noted that in the last one year of recurring cholera outbreaks in the country, about 77,000 suspected cases have been reported across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), resulting in 359 fatalities.
Lagos State, a densely populated urban centre, accounted for over 20 percent of the nationwide caseload, underscoring its particular vulnerability to infectious disease transmission.
Experts have attributed the persistence of cholera in the country to systemic challenges, including inadequate sanitation, limited access to clean water, poor hygiene practices, and weak infrastructure. Unfortunately, these vulnerabilities are compounded by natural disasters and climate-related events, exacerbating conditions conducive to rapid disease spread.
The Ambassador-designate of Japan to Nigeria, SUZUKI Hideo, while announcing the support, noted that Lagos State is at the forefront of the outbreak. Hence, the Government of Japan is supporting the state in responding to cholera outbreaks in the most affected communities by procuring essential medical supplies in partnership with UNOPS.
He assured: “We remain resolute in our commitment to enhancing sanitation, ensuring access to clean water, and ultimately safeguarding the lives of Nigerians, including those in Lagos.”
The project will, among others, strengthen local capacities, enhance community awareness, and improve early response mechanisms to prevent future outbreaks from escalating.
Through the project, UNOPS will collaborate closely with relevant national and local authorities to facilitate the procurement, delivery, and distribution of essential medical supplies, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) materials, personal protective equipment (PPE), and diagnostic tools critical for effective cholera outbreak management.
UNOPS Project Manager, Hazel Natukunda, stated that the project was a crucial step towards building resilient communities in Lagos, ensuring they are better equipped to withstand future health crises and safeguard the well-being of their citizens.
The intervention is targeted at five Local Government Areas (LGAs) most severely affected by the outbreak: Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Lagos Mainland, Alimosho, and Kosofe. An estimated two million people are projected to benefit from this comprehensive public health initiative directly.
