Approximately 90,000 vulnerable individuals have sought refuge in temporary camps, where they face significant challenges in accessing adequate food, clean water, and essential medical services.
The displaced populations are particularly susceptible to malnutrition and diseases such as cholera, malaria, and measles, exacerbating the challenges faced by already fragile health systems in the region.
Aisha Mafa, a mother of five, moved to Gubio camp on the outskirts of Maiduguri after her family was forced from their home in the Old Maiduguri district due to the floods in September 2024. Shortly after their relocation, one of her children developed a high fever. "My friends suggested I take him to the camp clinic, where services were provided at no cost," Mafa recalls.
In response to the pressing health needs of the displaced population, the World Health Organization (WHO), with funding from USAID and the German government, deployed five mobile health teams consisting of 35 public health professionals to support local health authorities in Gubio and three other temporary camps in the Maiduguri area.
The health workers promptly diagnosed Mafa’s son with malaria and administered the necessary treatment. His condition improved within days. "Without the health workers, I can’t imagine what would have happened to my son," Mafa expresses. “It gives me peace of mind knowing that my children and I can access free healthcare here.”
“Since our deployment, we have treated approximately 9,000 individuals,” states Martha Sini, the Local Government Area Facilitator for the mobile health team in Gubio camp, which currently accommodates over 36,000 displaced individuals. “Routine immunizations, maternal care, and clinical services are essential for safeguarding the health of the community, particularly for women.”
Children residing in temporary camps such as Gubio face a heightened risk of vaccine-preventable illnesses. In response, mobile health teams have organized regular vaccination campaigns, successfully immunizing more than 12,300 children since the onset of the floods in mid-September 2024. The vaccinations provided align with the current state routine immunization schedule and include children who have missed doses due to displacement.
These initiatives have been incorporated into the state government's ongoing campaigns for cholera, measles, and vitamin A, thereby offering more comprehensive protection to these at-risk populations.
Maternal health is also a significant priority for the mobile health teams. Within the two-room clinic at Gubio camp, health professionals offer prenatal examinations, postpartum care, routine immunizations, and nutritional assistance to expectant mothers, while also emphasizing the importance of skilled birth attendance. Since the floods began, these services have been crucial in ensuring safe pregnancies and deliveries for over 20,000 displaced women who lack access to hospitals.
Huawa Ali, a seven-month pregnant woman displaced from her home in the Gwange district of Maiduguri, is among the many who have benefited from the antenatal clinic. “I am incredibly thankful for this care. Without it, I wouldn’t have known if my baby was safe. Now, I feel more assured about my pregnancy,” she shares.
In addition to providing immediate medical assistance, WHO is also aiding Borno state in strengthening surveillance efforts. More than 150 community health volunteers have been mobilized to actively search for priority diseases and conduct house-to-house education to enhance health-seeking behaviors within the camps and surrounding communities.
To date, 34 camps and over 93,000 households have been reached and educated on preventive strategies for epidemic-prone diseases and effective household practices.
The mobile health teams provide families in temporary camps with more than just medical assistance; they bring hope for a healthier future, ensuring the well-being of their children and fostering optimism that they can navigate the difficulties of displacement, states Dr. Walter Mulombo, WHO Representative for Nigeria.