Taraba: Outbreak Of Diseases Kills 70 In IDPs Camp

Outbreak of diseases have led to the death of about 70 persons in the internally displaced persons (IDPs) camp situated in Bali, Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.

Cholera reportedly killed 48, while measles killed 13 and nine died of other ailments.

The camp where victims of attacks by Fulani herdsmen on Tiv communities were accommodated was set up in March and has provided shelter for more than 2,000 people. About 126,000 people have been reportedly displaced by the crises where 1,000 houses in more than 60 villages and farm settlements were destroyed.

Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Mr. Oliver Wubon confirmed the deaths to newsmen. He however said that his ministry was not called to the outbreak of the epidemic on time.

Speaking on behalf of the displaced persons living in the camp, Mr. Emmanuel Kegh appealed to the federal and Taraba State governments to expedite action to ensure the displaced persons return to their various homes as soon as possible.

He however lauded the efforts of the federal and state governments, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), as well as defence headquarters in providing relief materials for the displaced persons in the past three months, but noted that the people would rather work and feed themselves rather than live on charity, hence the need to return home.

“We thank all those that responded to our plight, we pray God to bless them. We are currently starving and we don’t want to continue to stay in the camp for people to feed us, we produce food ourselves from farm and we need peace to go back,” he said.

Kegh also said the attacks have not really abated, as three members of the camp who went into their farms to get food were attacked and seriously injured by Fulani herdsmen, with one still missing.