“In the heart of Bayelsa State, South-South Nigeria, a determined community is rising to the challenge—taking bold steps to combat a cholera outbreak and protect their future.”
Hope Rises in Amasoma: Community Fights Back Against Cholera with Life-Saving Vaccines
In Amasoma NDU Waterside—a riverine community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State—change is unfolding. With support from UNICEF and the Bayelsa State Primary Health Care Board, the community recently concluded its Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) immunization exercise, bringing renewed hope to families long plagued by the fear of cholera outbreaks.
For years, residents of this waterside settlement have relied on the nearby river as their main source of water—for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Yet, the same river is also a site for open defecation, creating a dangerous cycle that fuels the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera.
But this time, something is different.
Children like Akuru Peremobowei, a 10-year-old secondary school student, can now breathe a little easier. Sitting among his friends, Akuru reflects on the recent cholera outbreak that swept through the community, sharing how the disease affected his family and neighbors.
“We were scared,” he says quietly. “Some people got very sick. But now that we’ve taken the vaccine, my mother says we are protected.”
The OCV campaign marks a major step toward building herd immunity in Amasoma and empowering residents with the knowledge to prevent future outbreaks. Health workers didn’t just administer vaccines—they also educated families about safe hygiene practices, clean water storage, and the dangers of open defecation.
As efforts continue to improve sanitation and access to clean water, Amasoma’s story stands as a powerful reminder: with the right support and community action, even the most vulnerable can rise above the threat of disease.
“Cholera Is Real, and It Can Kill”—Amasoma Boy Speaks on the Importance of Vaccination and Hygiene Awareness
“I’ve heard that cholera is a deadly disease. It makes people pass stool many times, and some even die,” says Akuru Peremobowei, a 10-year-old student from Amasoma NDU Waterside in Bayelsa State. “I haven’t seen anyone die from it myself, but I know it kills people.”
Akuru is one of the many children in his riverine community who recently received the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV), a critical step in protecting vulnerable populations from this highly infectious disease. His community, surrounded by water yet lacking access to safe sanitation, faces heightened risks during cholera outbreaks—especially when river water used for drinking and cooking is contaminated with human waste.
With cholera cases on the rise, UNICEF, the Bayelsa State Government, and other partner organizations have ramped up emergency health outreach efforts. These include:
Vaccination campaigns using the OCV to prevent infection
Public health education on proper hygiene and sanitation
Community surveillance to monitor new cases and control spread
Epidemiological response for early detection and containment
“These drops they gave us are to stop us from getting infected,” Akuru explains. “I will tell my friends to take the cholera vaccine too. If we all take it, we will be protected.”
This proactive, community-based approach is already making a difference. The coordinated response has not only reduced fear among residents but also empowered them with knowledge and tools to fight the disease.
Through timely intervention and collaboration, the people of Amasoma are now more resilient—armed with both immunity and information. It’s a powerful example of how targeted health initiatives can save lives, especially in underserved, high-risk communities.
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