Agatu: Epidemic Looms At IDPs Camps In Benue.

Dr Usha of Benue.com

Indications have emerged of a looming outbreak of epidemics in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp housing over 2,000 displaced Agatu farmers, Benue State, as inmates now defecate in the open due to lack of adequate toilet facilities.

When newsmen visited the camp situated at the NOGOA Secondary School, Makurdi, it was discovered that the facility houses over 800 women and girls, close to 850 children and about 200 men and boys.

It was also discovered that the two toilets facilities that served the students population of the school were the only two available for use by the inmates.

The development forced majority of the inmates to resort to defecating in nearby bushes, drainage channel and open trenches thereby exposing themselves and their neigbours to public health problems.

Speaking on some of the challenges facing the Agatu IDPs, the camp coordinator, Mr. Emmanuel Onah, said the inmates were faced, lack of medicare, food supply, water and security.

According to him, “aside open defecation which is practiced in the camp due to lack of toilets facilities a major challenge we have in the camp is the fact that criminals infiltrate the camp in order to access most of the relief materials that are meant for the genuine IDPs. We also have the problem of the inmates particularly children falling sick and not being able to access Medicare, that remains a major source of concern for everyone, since the camp opened a month ago.”

Onah who asserted that the other three Agatu IDPs camps located in Ojantele, Ataganyi and Ugbokpo were also facing the same challenges pointed out that the Benue State Emergency Management Agency was doing its best for the people, but noted that the agency required assistance from individuals and organizations to meet the needs of the IDPs.

He said the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Mr. Boniface Otese had also promised to liaise with the office of the Adviser to the Governor on Security to provide security for the inmates.

When contacted, the Executive Secretary said his organization was doing its best but would certainly not meet the demands of all the IDPs.

Source Benue.com.ng