WHO seeks $13.5m to support health scheme for IDPs

UNHCR to train displaced persons in skills acquisition

The World Health Organisation (WHO) needs $13.5 million to support health scheme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in North East Nigeria.

The acting WHO Country Representative (WR) Dr. Rex Mpazanje stated this yesterday.

According to Mpazanje: “In the light of the humanitarian situation in Borno and other states in the North East part of Nigeria, WHO is appealing for $ 13.5 million (N40.5 billion) to support health interventions until the end of 2016, out of which $2 million has been received.”

Also, the WHO in collaboration with Borno State Ministry of Health yesterday delivered emergency medical supplies to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Mafa and Dikwa.

The two communities are part of the 15 areas liberated by the military this year. They are currently hosting over 75,000 displaced persons.

Malaria and Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) kits were part of the items donated.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Abubakar Hassan disclosed this while receiving the medical supplies in Maiduguri.

He said the two camps were selected after a United Nations (UN) joint assessment mission to Mafa and Dikwa, which showed high cases of malaria and acute respiratory tract infections.

Meanwhile, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Borno State government is to train 1,000 displaced persons in skills acquisition to assist them earn a living.

The beneficiaries who are from Maiduguri are to be trained in tailoring, carpentry, iron bending, arts and painting, beads and shoe making among other skills.

Addressing the IDPs at the weekend in Maiduguri at the Women Development Centre, the Country Representative of UNHCR, Angele Dikongue Atangana said as part of the training, the agency has established a livelihood centre in Borno to distribute start-up kits.

Atangana further said that another centre has been built at Bama.

The Training Programme Manager in the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Idriss Alooma, said the 1,000 IDPs for the two-months training would be given transport allowance in addition to the start-up kits to practice the acquired skills.