NEMA warns of waterborne disease outbreak, shelter shortage

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned of likely outbreak of waterborne disease in Mokwa due to contamination of water sources.

The agency also said there may be shelter and food shortages if the number of those currently displaced increases.

As of Tuesday evening, the number of displaced is 1,590, affected persons is 3,108, 160 are dead, 84 missing, and 11 injured.

NEMA, on its official X handle @nemanigeria on Tuesday, posted efforts made and its challenges since the incident on 29th May.

On how it has responded, NEMA stated: “Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances, Rapid Intervention Vehicles, and medical extrication units have been deployed to support emergency health operations. Injured individuals were evacuated to health centres and hospitals for treatment.

Food supplies were mobilized within 24 hours and handed over to the NSEMA, Local Government Chairman, and Community head (Sarkin Hausawa Mokwa) for immediate distribution to the affected persons.

“Mat/blanket, mattresses for women and children were deployed to provide emergency shelter at a school identified by the State Government. As of date, most displaced persons have moved into host communities to stay with friends and relatives.

“NEMA provided hand-held water purifiers and also tablets to assist household purification of water”.

On the gaps identified in its response, the Agency stated: “There is a heightened risk of disease outbreaks due to overcrowding and contaminated water sources. Timely medical attention is constrained, and additional health personnel and medical supplies are needed.