NIGERIA
INTERSOS INTERVENTION
INTERSOS staff have continued to provide primary health care and nutritional services in Bama, Dikwa, Ngala and Magumeri. COVID-19 preparation and response courses were organized and materials on symptoms, prevention and surveillance were distributed in all healthcare facilities supported by INTERSOS (where additional hand washing stations were installed and isolation rooms identified). 2 ambulances have been activated. Our operators have activated telephone psychosocial support consultations and, with the loosening of lockdown, have resumed door-to-door visits to victims of violence for provision of counseling. An increase in sexual gender-based violence has been registered. Awareness-raising sessions for virus prevention continue. 14,833 internally displaced people have attended hygiene promotion sessions. In Damasak we are participating in the construction of the city’s first formal IDP camp by the state government and actually conducting sensitization and installed 5 handwashing stations at the temporary camp. INTERSOS is setting up a COVID-19 screening center at the Arabic Camp Reception Center in Ngala.
HIGHLIGHTS
32.183
people reached by prevention and training on specific anti-COVID-19 hygiene measures
13
healthcare facilities supported for COVID-19 preparation
138
healthcare professionals trained in COVID-19 prevention
887
hygiene kits distributed
CONTEXT
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has been fluctuating but has a more downward trend in Nigeria. INTERSOS together with IOM worked at the construction of isolation structures in Ngala, Bama and Monguno. Interstate movement reopened in early July but with a 22:00 to 04:00 curfews still in place. Shortage of personal protective equipment continues to constrain infection prevention and control measures, including for health workers. In addition, public compliance on use of facemasks was low and insecurity and military operations continued to constrain risk communication and social mobilization efforts of humanitarian actors. The Naira has been declining against the Euro and USD by up to 6.74% in just 3 months. The security atmosphere continues to deteriorate with more illegal checkpoints mounted along the main supply route. On 17 August, Magumeri was again attacked, and INTERSOS supported General Hospital was burnt in the process. There is an increase in armed opposition groups attacks. Despite increasing insecurity, the state government began to implement its plan to resettle IDPs in their towns of origins, for a decongestion of IDP camps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.