Lassa Fever: UNICEF donates WASH, Dignity Kits To IDPs In Benue 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

As part  of efforts to combat the Lassa fever outbreak, the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF), on Wednesday donated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and dignity kits to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and victims of attacks in Benue State. 

The kits include; bathing soaps, detergents, nail clippers, plastic cups, women’s underwear, petroleum jelly, other sanitary items —aim to bolster hygiene standards to prevent outbreaks of Lassa fever in and around IDP settings.

The WASH dignity kits were distributed to households across nine IDP camps, targeting high-risk, densely populated settings to curb transmission.

The kits, which include safe water storage containers and essential hygiene items, equip vulnerable households with the means to maintain sanitation and reduce exposure to rodent-borne infection.

While flagging off distribution of the kits to the beneficiaries at Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camp located at the International Market Makurdi, the Chief Field Office, UNICEF, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, said  the gesture was geared towards reinforcing infection prevention and control.

She disclosed that apart from the dignity kits, contactless hand washing stations are being installed throughout the camps, enabling safe hygiene practices while minimizing cross-contamination, an essential step in containing viral outbreaks.

Mrs Chiluwe maintained that working in close partnership with state health authorities, UNICEF is combining supply distribution with community engagement and risk communication efforts to mitigate the outbreak and safeguard affected populations, particularly children.

“In the face of the current Lassa fever outbreak, hygiene is our first line of defense, these kits and the new contactless hand washing stations do more than provide comfort; they are lifesaving tools.

“By ensuring households can store water safely and wash their hands without the risk of surface contact, we are significantly reducing the risk of viral transmission and protecting children from a preventable tragedy”,Mrs. Chiluwe maintained.

Earlier, speaking on behalf of the State Government, the Acting General Manager, Benue State Rural Water Supply And Sanitation  Agency (BERWASSA), Tony Mkpen, commended UNICEF for its continued support and humanitarian interventions for IDPs in the State.

Mr. Mkpen  who was represented by the Desk Officer, WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group- BERWASSA, Nyanve Matthew, said that the Agency has been able to secure  over 3,500 WASH and Dignity kits to support IDP and Vulnerable persons within the State. 

“You will agree with me that we had a Lassa Fever outbreak in Benue State sometime ago and Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, BERWASSA made a request to UNICEF and through their support, we were able to get those items.

“However, our role at BEEWASSA is to ensure that the kits get to the vulnerable persons to cushion the effect of their  plight in terms of the Lassa Fever outbreak. We want to thank our partner UNICEF that has been supporting us right from the beginning. 

“UNICEF has been there for us each time we request their support. We will continue to ensure judicious use by making sure the items get to the beneficiaries”, he stated 

Speaking to journalists shortly after receiving the items, a beneficiary, Eunice Nyinongo, appreciated UNICEF for the intervention, stating that it is of great benefit to her because  there would be no need to spend her money to buy these hygiene items.

She stated that she will now use the little money with  her on food items like maggi, salt and others.From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

As part  of efforts to combat the Lassa fever outbreak, the United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF), on Wednesday donated WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and dignity kits to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and victims of attacks in Benue State. 

The kits include; bathing soaps, detergents, nail clippers, plastic cups, women’s underwear, petroleum jelly, other sanitary items —aim to bolster hygiene standards to prevent outbreaks of Lassa fever in and around IDP settings.

The WASH dignity kits were distributed to households across nine IDP camps, targeting high-risk, densely populated settings to curb transmission.

The kits, which include safe water storage containers and essential hygiene items, equip vulnerable households with the means to maintain sanitation and reduce exposure to rodent-borne infection.

While flagging off distribution of the kits to the beneficiaries at Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs) camp located at the International Market Makurdi, the Chief Field Office, UNICEF, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe, said  the gesture was geared towards reinforcing infection prevention and control.

She disclosed that apart from the dignity kits, contactless hand washing stations are being installed throughout the camps, enabling safe hygiene practices while minimizing cross-contamination, an essential step in containing viral outbreaks.

Mrs Chiluwe maintained that working in close partnership with state health authorities, UNICEF is combining supply distribution with community engagement and risk communication efforts to mitigate the outbreak and safeguard affected populations, particularly children.

“In the face of the current Lassa fever outbreak, hygiene is our first line of defense, these kits and the new contactless hand washing stations do more than provide comfort; they are lifesaving tools.

“By ensuring households can store water safely and wash their hands without the risk of surface contact, we are significantly reducing the risk of viral transmission and protecting children from a preventable tragedy”,Mrs. Chiluwe maintained.

Earlier, speaking on behalf of the State Government, the Acting General Manager, Benue State Rural Water Supply And Sanitation  Agency (BERWASSA), Tony Mkpen, commended UNICEF for its continued support and humanitarian interventions for IDPs in the State.

Mr. Mkpen  who was represented by the Desk Officer, WASH in Emergency Technical Working Group- BERWASSA, Nyanve Matthew, said that the Agency has been able to secure  over 3,500 WASH and Dignity kits to support IDP and Vulnerable persons within the State. 

“You will agree with me that we had a Lassa Fever outbreak in Benue State sometime ago and Benue Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, BERWASSA made a request to UNICEF and through their support, we were able to get those items.

“However, our role at BEEWASSA is to ensure that the kits get to the vulnerable persons to cushion the effect of their  plight in terms of the Lassa Fever outbreak. We want to thank our partner UNICEF that has been supporting us right from the beginning. 

“UNICEF has been there for us each time we request their support. We will continue to ensure judicious use by making sure the items get to the beneficiaries”, he stated 

Speaking to journalists shortly after receiving the items, a beneficiary, Eunice Nyinongo, appreciated UNICEF for the intervention, stating that it is of great benefit to her because  there would be no need to spend her money to buy these hygiene items.

She stated that she will now use the little money with  her on food items like maggi, salt and others.