UNICEF Strengthens Public Health Emergency Preparedness Across 10 States

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria’s Enugu Field Office, in collaboration with the Abuja Front Office, has vowed to strengthen public health emergency preparedness and health security systems, with particular focus on flood and cholera preparedness across 10 UNICEF-supported states.

The 10 targeted states are Rivers, Benue, Delta, Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Cross River and Kogi.

The three-day multi-sectoral meeting held from 21–23 September 2026 at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, brought together representatives from State Ministries of Health, State Primary Health Care Development Agencies/Boards, State Emergency Management Agencies and other relevant MDAs, alongside UNICEF, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and WHO.

The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Health, Dr. Vincent Worgu Wachukwu, delivered the welcome address, while Dr. Joy Wihioka, representing the Rivers State Primary Health Care Management Board, also addressed participants.

Opening remarks were delivered on behalf of the UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe, by Dr. Hilary Ozoh.

Technical sessions were facilitated by NCDC, NEMA and UNICEF, represented by Mr. Paul Labaran Majam, Mr. Chidi Ogundu, Dr. Eghe Abe, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, Dr. Hilary Ozoh and Maureen Zubie-Okolo.

Sessions covered multi-hazard preparedness, outbreak investigation and response, Incident Management Systems, PHEOC coordination, risk assessment, flood and cholera preparedness, multisectoral coordination and emergency response planning.

A key feature was a tabletop simulation of a flood-triggered public health emergency, which tested coordination, information sharing, escalation and response arrangements involving health authorities, SEMA, State PHEOCs, other MDAs, communities, and traditional and religious leaders.

The exercise highlighted the importance of timely information sharing, early partner engagement, effective logistics and referral systems, and rapid access to emergency funds and supplies.

Participants identified critical gaps in emergency planning, PHEOC and Rapid Response Team capacity, laboratory systems, emergency stockpiles, logistics, and coordination between disaster management and public health structures.

The affected states committed themselves to strengthening surveillance and early warning, multi-sectoral coordination, flood and cholera preparedness, community engagement, continuity of essential health services and domestic financing for emergency preparedness and response.

As a key next step, participating states will develop costed and time-bound preparedness action plans with clearly defined responsibilities, resource requirements, timelines and monitoring mechanisms.

Meanwhile, regular progress reviews will support implementation, accountability and sustained improvements in public health emergency preparedness and health security.