The United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Edward Kallon, on Monday confirmed the death of a health worker.
The staff died on April 18 after contracting coronavirus disease.
The UN official, in a statement, expressed sincerest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.
He said despite the risks, the Nigerian health worker was devoting his life to treating vulnerable internally displaced persons who have lost everything during the conflict raging in the north-east.
“He had no travel history outside of Borno State and made the ultimate sacrifice”, Kallon noted.
“Aid organisations, under the lead of the World Health Organisation (WHO), are working closely with the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC), Borno State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, to trace anyone whom the nurse may have been in contact with in Borno State, and to bolster measures to prevent the spread of the virus and protect IDPs and communities in Borno State.”
The humanitarian community reaffirmed it is working closely with Nigerian authorities. Together, all actors are doing their utmost to reinforce protection and prevention measures against COVID-19.
The statement added that aid workers are following NCDC guidance and all staff that arrived from abroad before the airport shut down have gone into self-isolation.
“Humanitarian actors have adapted their way of working to prevent the spread of the virus. Quarantine facilities are being set up across the state by aid workers, in support of Borno State authorities, and particularly at all points of entry from neighbouring countries.
“A COVID-19 treatment facility and a testing laboratory have been established in Maiduguri and a second treatment facility is being developed. Humanitarian actors are installing hand-washing stations and ensuring supply of clean water in IDP camps and vulnerable communities, as well as distributing soap and chlorinated solution where water is not readily available.
UN added that nearly 8 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian aid in the conflict-affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, with many depending on assistance to survive.
Kallon said functional health facilities, especially in remote locations in Borno State, are scarce and over 3 million people urgently need food assistance.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting many areas in Nigeria, it is essential for the most vulnerable to continue receiving humanitarian aid, including water and soap or substitute solutions”, the UN coordinator appealed.
