7 Aug 2012

NIGER/CHOLERA

Cholera is a fact of life in the Sahel region but it is worse this year because of the influx of tens of thousands of refugees who have fled violence in neighbouringMaliand are now forced to live in sub-standard conditions. UNICEF

Posted at: August 7, 2012 3:04 pm

Duration: 01:17

Available in: SD, HD

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Full script

STORY: NIGER/CHOLERA
TRT:  1.17 
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ZARMA / NATS

DATELINE: 1 AUGUST 2012, TILLABÉRI, WESTERN NIGER

SHOTLIST:

1. Med shot, canoe sailing on Niger River carrying a sick man 
2. Wide shot, islanders in a beach carrying man from canoe 
3. Various, sick man being treated at health clinic
4. Various shots, canoe sailing on Niger River
5. Med shot, refugees in camp
6. Med shot, disinfecting water
7. Med shot, woman sitting on ground
8. Med shot, village
9. Med shot, mothers and children 
10. Med shot, children
11. Med shot, mothers holding babies
12. Various, cholera prevention 
13. Med shot, educational brochure
14. SOUNDBITE (Zarma) Habibatou Djibo, mother:
"The day I left the dispensary, I went to the market and bought water purification tablets and I started using them."
15. Various shots, people washing clothes in the Niger River 
16. Various shots, people collecting water from river and washing food in it

STORYLINE:

On Kandadji Island, in the Niger River, a sick man is brought to the local health centre, struck down by cholera.

He's treated by a nurse who is the only healthcare professional serving more than ten thousand people.

Cholera is a fact of life in the Sahel region but it's worse this year because of the influx of tens of thousands of refugees who have fled from violence in neighbouring Mali and are now forced to live in sub-standard conditions.

The food crisis in the Sahel is adding to the challenges. UNICEF estimates that nearly 400,000 children under five will need treatment for severe acute malnutrition this year. And sick children are more prone to cholera.

Along with medical treatment, UNICEF-supported clinics are distributing water purification tablets, and showing families how to stay healthy.

SOUNDBITE (Zarma) Habibatou Djibo, mother
"The day I left the dispensary, I went to the market and bought water purification tablets and I started using them."

The people living along the river are getting help, but more resources are needed to both treat cholera and to ensure that communities have safe and sustainable drinking water.

Filed under MALI NIGER UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund.