Timothy Olanrewaju, Maiduguri
Rann residents who fled to neighbouring Cameroonian community an aftermath of Boko Haram attack are in dire need of foods and water, an international medical volunteer group, Medecins San Frantierer(MSF) said.
MSF in a statement on Monday said the 35, 000 residents of Rann in Kala Balge Local Government fled to Goura in Cameroon, following the attack on their town by Boko Haram in mid-January.
“The refugees have been staying in a large, informal camp in Goura since late January. Most are sleeping in the open, even though it is sandstorm season and temperature drops sharply,” MSF Field Communication Officer, Abdulkareem Yakubu said in the statement.
He added that access to safe drinking water has been a major problem in the camp even as the refugees have been living without food supply.
“MSF has progressively increased its provision of drinking water along with that of other providers to 240,000 litres per day. This is equivalent to 7 litres per person per day, which is still far below the 15-litre minimum standard for emergencies,” MSF said.
Rann has experienced Boko Haram attacks three times, forcing scores to flee their homes.
“This is not the first time that people from Rann have had to flee to Cameroon,” MSF Deputy Programme Manager for Emergencies, Dr Silas, Adamou Moussa said in the statement.
He said some of the residents returned home in previous attacks after having fled, but not this time. “They don’t want to go back to Rann unless they know they can live safely, yet their future here is also uncertain. They are afraid. Their children are afraid,” Mousa said.
Although MSF has set up a clinic at the unofficial camp to treat diseases and some health issues affecting the refugees, it appealed for support from other stakeholders and groups.