How UNICEF Is Battling Cholera In South West Region Of Cameroon
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By Raymond Dingana
If there is a region in Cameroon that has suffered greatly in the hands of the Cholera epidemic, then that region is the South West Region (SWR) of Cameroon.
The situation has also been compounded by the ongoing socio political crisis ravaging lives in the North West and South West Regions of the country.
Given that poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water amongst others are some of the leading causes of cholera in the region, the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund, UNICEF has stepped in to help arrest the situation by providing safe drinking water, clean modern toilet facilities, and has also disinfected schools and hospitals in order to put cholera under check.
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| Students Drinking Portable Water Provided By UNICEF |
During the presentation of some of some of its projects in the South West Region recently by UNICEF's representative in Cameroon, Nadine Perrault, a newly constructed solar powered water supply system funded by the European Union Humanitarian Aid was handed to the population of Mutengene in Tiko Sub Division.
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| UNICEF Handing Over Solar Powdered Water Supply System To Community |
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| Paper Work At The Handing Over Of The Water Supply System |
The water supply system constructed at quarter 19 in Mutengene has been of great help to the communities around,
"We used to go as far as Buea road to fetch water. At times we pay people to do that for us. It was really a difficult situation. With this gift from UNICEF, we are sure of clean and safe water. We thank UNICEF so much,"
a beneficiary expressed his joy to drayinfos.
Another community member, a student said the water has helped improved on the hygienic situation of their school as they now have clean drinking water and enough to wash and keep the campus clean.
Tiko Mayor, Others Appreciate UNICEF For Providing Communities With Water
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| Tiko Council Deputy Mayor, Kimeng Rudolf Waindim At The Handing Over Of Project |
As indicated by one of the deputy mayors of the Tiko municipality, the solar powered borehole is the only one in the entire Tiko Sub Division.
"We are not only seeing UNICEF as we used to do before, we are feeling them and we believe many more good things are coming. Mutengene is one of those municipalities in the SWR that has felt UNICEF through the provision of this utility, it is wonderful. We thank UNICEF because it will not only serve Mutengene only but about 4000 persons from far away areas,''
the mayor added that a Water Management Committee will be created to ensure the sustainability of the project.
On her part, the delegate for Water and Energy for the SWR sends words of thanks to UNICEF. She pleaded with the beneficiaries to make good use of the gift and like Oliver Twist, she pleaded with UNICEF to do more especially in the area of portable water as it's one way to prevent cholera outbreak.
UNICEF Constructs Modern Latrines For Schools
Apart from ensuring that communities enjoy clean water, UNICEF has also been working in the area of providing modern latrines for schools.
After visiting the modern borehole in Mutengene, the team made a stopover at the Ecole Publique Francophone D'application, Mile I Limbe where UNICEF has constructed a modern latrine for the pupils.
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| Modern latrines Constructed By UNICEF |
UNICEF had earlier disinfected the school campus after flood waters came visiting. This was to prevent an outbreak of cholera and others.
Another stopover was the Limbe Sub Divisional Hospital that was disinfected which also received medical equipment from UNICEF.
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| UNICEF Team At The Limbe Sub Divisional Hospital Recently Hit By Floods |
"UNICEF provided mattresses; laboratory and medical equipment, to help prevented a cholera outbreak after the flood. This area is noted for flooding when it happens; there is always a high risk that cholera might step in. Disinfecting the health facility was to prevent cholera from announcing its presence. The vaccination center for children was also affected and UNICEF acted promptly to help salvage the situation,"
said Dr. Agwe.
Other Areas Of Intervention By UNICEF
UNICEF has also intervened in the domain of education, ensuring that kids have didactics to permit them study well. Some of those who benefited were pupils of Ecole Publique Francophone D'application Mile I Limbe.
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| At Ecole Publique Francophone D'application Mile I Limbe |
According to Nadine Perrault, this was a strategy to seduce kids go to school at a time when the Anglophone Crisis has forced many out of school.
UNICEF has also been supporting Think Alive Teenage Club, Mile 14, Dibamba, a local Non Governmental Organization NGO that trains single mothers on income generating activities.
UNICEF has also appreciated her donors which include ECHO, a major donor in Education, WASH and Child Protection and Emergency response, USAID for education, SIDA for emergency response, CERF for emergency response and GAVI for health interventions for making it possible for them to go this far.
To continue carrying out live saving activities in the two crisis battered North West and South West Regions, UNICEF is appealing for more support from her partners.
UNICEF working in over 190 countries and territories focusing on preserving children's lives, defend their rights and help them fulfill their potential from early childhood through adolescence.
The 77 year old International NGO was founded in 1946, and since then they have been standing tall and strong as the primary child protection agency in the world.
In the troubled North West and South West Regions of Cameroon, UNICEF has been spear heading the protection of conflict-affected children, adolescents,and teenage mothers.
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