Nigeria has recorded over 88,704 cholera cases and 3,208 deaths in 2021.

Secretary-General of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, NRCS Abubakar Kende made the announced at an ongoing three-day workshop on prevention of cholera in Abuja.

He added that the Society, in consultation with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control, NCDC and support from International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC is starting an emergency relief action in five states of the federation. The states include; Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Gombe and Bayelsa to slow down the rising cholera cases.

Kende explained that the NCDC Emergency Response Centre indicates that cholera in Nigeria in 2021 surpassed the total case count for 2020 and 2019.

The Secretary General said the society and stakeholders called on government and international partners to assist in intensifying the response to save lives and curb the spread of the epidemic.

Also, head of delegation, Abuja Cluster, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Cresent Societies, Bhupinder Tomar noted that there is urgent need to address the issue of cholera. He said the federation would provide short term solution for immediate reduction in mortality rate.