West and Central Africa: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (5 - 11 January 2016)

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC FIRE DESTROYS IDP CAMP

On 10 January, fire destroyed hundreds of huts in a camp for internally displaced persons in Bambari, Ouaka Province. One person was killed and 21 others injured. The injured are being treated at Bambari provincial hospital. Humanitarian partners are working to provide emergency assistance to the affected families. On 22 December 2015, fire also destroyed more than 200 huts in the same camp.

NIGERIA LASSA FEVER KILLS 35

An outbreak of Lassa fever has spread across eight Nigerian states, infecting 76 people and killing 35 others (case fatality rate of 46 per cent). The first case was reported in Bauchi state in the north-east in November and spread to Kano, Edo, Nasarawa, Niger, Oyo, Rivers and Taraba states. According to WHO, Lassa fever is endemic in parts of the country, with an overall fatality rate of one per cent.
The health minister has confirmed the outbreak. The Government is managing the response with support from WHO.

SEVEN DIE IN VILLAGE RAID

Suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked a village in the north-eastern Borno state on 5 January, killing seven people. The attack was the first since President Muhammadu Buhari declared on 24 December that the group had been defeated “technically”.

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Intense flooding over the recent months has killed 74 people and affected around 385,000 in 10 of the country’s 26 provinces.

The floods are the worst in recent years and are linked to the impact of El Niño. Food, shelter, health, education and nutrition are the priority needs. A crisis cell has been set up within the Prime Minister’s office and the government has provided assistance to some communities.

EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE NO NEW CASES REPORTED

No new cases were reported in the week leading up to 10 January. Guinea launched epidemiological surveillance activities in Forécariah prefecture on 7 January. In Sierra Leone, the National Ebola Response Centre has closed down and its responsibilities transferred to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, the Ministry of Social Welfare,
Gender and Child Affairs, and the Office of National Security. Meanwhile, CDC has recommended the vaccination of Ebola survivors’ partners in Sierra Leone.