Highlights
· Flash Floods in 2013: In response to the floods in Far North region on 18th and 26th September 2013, UNICEF is supporting 2,344 Internally Displaced People (IDPs) relocated to the two new sites at Begue Palam by establishing a Health Post with essential drugs, including anti-malaria and rapid diagnostic tests. Under the partnership signed with the Cameroon Red Cross, 40 holes have been dug for the construction of latrines.
· Nigerian Refugees: To date, out of the 5,289 refugees verified and pre-registered by UNHCR, a total of 1,762 persons (including 265 new refugees received in October) have been transferred and settled in the Minawao refugee camp. WASH needs - An additional bladder of 10,000 litre capacity was installed in the refugee camp helping distribute 22.5 litres of water/person/day. Education needs –UNHCR & UNICEF expedited a response package of school bags, ECD kits, recreation kits, hygiene kits (for teachers), and schools in a box . Nutrition needs - 5 out of 6 SAM cases of children who were receiving treatment with therapeutic foods and drugs in the Outpatient Centre of Gadala have recovered.
· The second Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Action Week (MCHNAW) was conducted throughout the country from 25th - 27th of October. 1,347,223 children from 6-59 months received supplements in Vitamin A, 1,226,516 children from 12-59 months were dewormed and 1,209,579 were screened for acute malnutrition in the North and Far North regions.
· A malaria outbreak has been reported in Far North region. In children under-five the suspects malaria cases rose from 9395 suspects cases in September 2012 and 9280 in October 2012 to 17,147 cases in September 2013 (+7752 cases, +83 %) and 15,582 (+6302 cases, +68 %) in October 2013. Concerning mortality, the deaths due to malaria rose from 89 deaths in Sep 2012 to 144 deaths in September 2013 (+125 deaths, +140 %) in children under-five.
· Since January 2013, 1,375 malnourished children have been tested for HIV and 107 were found positive. 19 of those benefitted from ARV treatment. Also, 585 women were tested and 41 were found to be HIV positive. Funding is required to be able to establish community support groups in helping mothers’ access treatment and to ensure that children are followed up with the correct ARV regime once they leave the CNTI.