The Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) residing at the Agagbe camp in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State are raising urgent alarms regarding the severe toll of illnesses and hunger that has gripped their community.
The chairman of Agagbe IDP camp, Ibaah Terna Jacob, has expressed deep concern over the distressing conditions being faced by many IDPs, which he said a wave of skin diseases and measles, coupled with a prevailing sense of hunger, has left the camp inhabitants grappling with dire circumstances.
Jacob said at least six children are presently suffering from measles and now taking herbs while two babies died at birth because the mothers had no medical attention.
One of the affected, Agagbe Nguavese, a 40-year-old widow with three children – Aondona 15, Eucharia 13, and Naome eight years old – said, she is presently at her wit’s end not knowing what to do with her second child’s ill health.
“My daughter, Eucharia started scratching her body, so, I went and bought some medicine for her but the situation is worsening everyday. From what looks like rashes, it has now turned into wounds and I don’t know what to do next since I have no money to take her to the hospital to know what is wrong and then follow up with treatment,” the widow said.
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While Stephen Mnena, 20, who gave birth recently is contending with hunger, which had made it impossible for her to breastfeed her newborn.
Mnena said, “My husband is Ukpaagh Stephen and 30 years old. We live in this camp with our two children – Wandoo, two years old and the one just born 17 days back.
“After the birth of my last daughter, Franca, till today my breast is not bringing forth milk and she will be crying all day. We managed to buy a sachet of glucose but it has finished, we don’t know what to do now. We have no money or food.”
Meanwhile, Adoo Shipinen, 27, who had a premature stillbirth, blamed the death of the child on her inability to access medical care due to lack of funds.
Mimi Tion, the State Emmergency Management Agency’s Planning and Research officer responsible for IDPs, conveyed to journalists in Makurdi that steps are being taken to address the crisis.
He said health officers have been dispatched to assess the situation, and action is expected to be taken soon.