In the aftermath of the cholera outbreak in the country, the Almajiri Child Rights Initiative (ACRI) has cautioned that destitute and street children are at high risk of contracting the disease.

According to the organisation, the recent surge in parts of the country, especially Lagos State, poses a serious threat to the nation’s most vulnerable population, including over 10 million Almajiri children and street-connected youths.
  
ACRI’s Programme Officer, Khadijat Shuaib, in a statement, noted that data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) paint a troubling picture, as 1,141 suspected, and 65 confirmed cholera cases, resulting in 37 deaths, have been reported between January 1 and June 11. 

She pointed out that these children face an elevated risk due to their living conditions, including their overcrowded habitation, which is devoid of basic sanitation and clean water, and a veritable breeding ground for cholera and other waterborne diseases.
  
She said that given studies by the World Health Organisation (WHO) that indicate that a single unchecked case of cholera could potentially infect two secondary cases, such exponential growth rate can be even more severe in these high-risk settings.

“The current situation necessitates immediate and comprehensive action, as the Nigerian government must implement a plan to protect children and prevent a full-blown humanitarian crisis. This plan should address both the immediate threat and the root causes that are pushing children to the streets,” she said.

Shuaib added: “Firstly, the government must prioritise children in public health initiatives as Almajiri children and street-connected youths must be integrated into government healthcare programmes, and cholera response plans. Culturally sensitive outreach campaigns should be developed to educate them about cholera prevention, proper hygiene practices, and access to clean water and sanitation facilities.”

Second, she canvassed the prioritisation of targeted deployment of mobile medical clinics in high-risk areas, with the mobile clinics staffed by trained healthcare professionals providing essential medical care and cholera treatment to vulnerable children residing in areas with limited access to healthcare facilities.

Thirdly, she said long-term solutions are essential to address the root causes of children living on the streets, which necessitate tackling issues like poverty, lack of educational opportunities, and dysfunctional family structures.

The programme officer said that ACRI is ready to collaborate with the government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and community leaders to ensure the well-being of these children, stating:  “We urge the government to partner with NGOs and trusted community leaders to facilitate outreach efforts and ensure culturally appropriate messaging resonates with these communities.”