UNICEF, Gombe Government Step Up Support for Over 7,000 Displaced Persons from Bauchi

UNICEF, Gombe Government Step Up Support for Over 7,000 Displaced Persons from Bauchi

By Auwal Ahmad

Humanitarian efforts have intensified at the Keshiri displacement camp in Gombe State, where thousands of residents fleeing violence from Alkaleri Local Government Area of Bauchi State are currently taking refuge.

Officials from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Gombe State Government say coordinated interventions are underway to provide healthcare, sanitation, and education services for the displaced population, which has now exceeded 7,000 people.

Speaking during a visit to the camp, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Dr Nuzhat Rafique, commended the Gombe State Government and other partners for their prompt response in managing the humanitarian situation.

She noted that from the onset of the crisis, various government departments, including the ministries responsible for health and education, had been actively involved in supporting the displaced persons.

According to her, both the Gombe and Bauchi State governments have been collaborating closely to ensure that the affected families receive adequate assistance.

Dr. Rafique also disclosed that the Governor of Bauchi State recently visited the camp to assess the situation and provide support for the displaced residents from Alkaleri.

She explained that the camp is currently being managed through a host community management structure, working alongside relevant state agencies to ensure effective coordination of relief activities.

The UNICEF official added that the agency is focusing its support on critical areas such as immunisation, maternal healthcare, nutrition, WASH and sanitation services.

“We are supporting immunisation programmes, health services for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and ensuring safe deliveries. Fortunately, there is a nearby healthcare facility that provides these services with the support of the Gombe State health authorities,” she said.

Dr. Rafique further revealed that many children in the camp had never been vaccinated prior to their displacement, prompting the initiation of emergency immunisation exercises to protect them from preventable diseases.

She also highlighted concerns about poor sanitation in the camp, warning that it could trigger outbreaks of diseases such as cholera if urgent action is not taken.

To address this challenge, UNICEF distributed nearly 600 hygiene and dignity kits, along with 56 cholera response kits, to help improve sanitation practices among families in the camp.

Beyond health and sanitation interventions, UNICEF is also working to support the education of displaced children who have never attended school.

“We are planning to establish safe learning spaces so that these children can begin their education while they remain here and continue once they return to their communities,” Dr Rafique explained.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Abdurrahman Shaibu, said the state government had set up a comprehensive incident management system to coordinate activities within the camp.

He explained that the system involves multiple agencies, including the ministries of health, environment, water resources, and special duties, alongside humanitarian partners.

Shaibu said access to healthcare remains a top priority, noting that a primary healthcare centre located near the camp has been designated to provide free medical services to displaced residents.

He added that outreach teams from the facility visit the camp several times each week to administer vaccinations and monitor health conditions among the displaced population.

“As of yesterday, about 300 children have received routine immunisation, while 33 previously unvaccinated children known as zero-dose children have now been vaccinated,” he said.

The health official further disclosed that two nine-year-old girls had also received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, while surveillance officers stationed among the displaced community help identify and refer patients requiring treatment.

Shaibu acknowledged that some cases of child malnutrition had been detected within the camp, adding that the state government is working with UNICEF to provide nutritional support.

He explained that the Gombe State Government recently released ₦500 million in counterpart funding to UNICEF to facilitate the procurement of ready-to-use therapeutic food for malnourished children.

While the supplies are yet to arrive in the state, he said UNICEF has been requested to provide interim assistance to address the immediate nutritional needs of affected children in the camp.

Authorities say the coordinated response between humanitarian partners and state governments remains critical in ensuring the wellbeing of displaced families while longer-term solutions are pursued.