The United Nations has allocated $2 million (around N720 million) to support response to a cholera outbreak affecting thousands of people in Yobe.

More than 404 cases have been reported since the outbreak was declared in four local government areas on March 28.

At least 15 people have been killed.

Finance for the response will come through the Nigerian Humanitarian Fund.

But additional resources are needed to ensure that the outbreak is contained, especially ahead of the rainy season when the risk of outbreaks and spreading of water-borne diseases is higher.

The funding will enable provision of safe water for over 1.6 million people, improve sanitation for thousands in the affected communities, and boost the technical and human resource capacity in hotspot areas so that cholera can be detected early and treated promptly.

“Cholera outbreaks can potentially impact and kill thousands of people, especially women, children and men who are living in overcrowded places such as camps for internally displaced persons. Surveillance and early detection are key to limiting the number of fatalities and the spread of the outbreak,” said the UN Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon.

“Acting swiftly is pivotal if we are to prevent high mortality rates. These funds will help the UN and partners strengthen the capacity of community health personnel and equip local health facilities with diagnostic and treatment equipment as the rainy season gets underway and access to some of the affected localities might be impacted by flooding,” he added. (Daily Trust)