Restoring Dignity and Health Through Improved Sanitation Facilities in Bama
A CRISIS RESPONSE SUCCESS STORY
For 65-year-old Mohammed Shuwa and his family, the construction of a new household latrine has brought a significant transformation to their lives.
“Now that we have our own properly constructed latrine, it is much more convenient, and our dignity has been restored” said Mohammed, who lives in a resettlement area for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Bama, Northeast Nigeria.
Recalling his initial struggles, Mohammed explained, “When we first arrived here eight years ago, we had to use the bushes around us to ease ourselves. Eventually, we dug a hole in our compound and sheltered it. Despite having a temporary latrine, maintaining its cleanliness was a challenge, and sometimes it would collapse.”
Like many others, Mohammed and his family were forced to flee Bama at the height of the armed conflict in 2017. They sought refuge in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, and only returned to Bama when the situation improved. However, returning meant rebuilding their lives from scratch as their properties had been destroyed.
Similarly, 50-year-old Ya’ Mallam, another displaced individual, shared her experiences. “We were always visiting our neighbors because we lacked a sanitation facility in our house,” she said. “But now, with your support, our dignity has been restored.” Addressing Sanitation Challenges in IDP Settlements Settlements for internally displaced persons often face critical challenges due to limited sanitation facilities. The combination of inadequate hygiene and sanitation, coupled with dense populations in camps, increases the risk of exposure to diarrheal diseases and other health hazards.
FHI 360, with support from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF), has provided safe sanitation facilities to vulnerable households by constructing 40 household latrines, rehabilitating 10 communal latrines, and building two communal latrines. These interventions aim to restore dignity, improve health outcomes, and enhance the quality of life for displaced families like Mohammed’s and Ya’ Mallam’s.