Disability-friendly latrines bring relief to the most vulnerable refugees

Adamou, 51, was a victim of attacks in his village in Nigeria. Unfortunately his leg was broken in the attacks and as a result, he had to stop working while he took refuge with his family in Chadakori refugee settlement in Niger.

"A few months ago, I had to leave my village because of robbers who attacked and surrounded our village so that no one was spared”, he narrates. “Before they come to our village, they were already informed that I was a minibus driver, so when they arrived in my house they asked me for money and I told them I had none. They hit me and broke my leg with their gun. Now I am in the Chadakori refugee settlement and I walk with crutches."

Since July 2019, families and entire villages have been fleeing insecurity in some northern states of Nigeria. Many of the refugees who have traveled to Maradi region in Niger are mainly from the Nigerian states of Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), last month Maradi region alone hosted 23,000 refugees from Nigeria. Unfortunately, the number of cases like Adamou's continue to grow.

"After that accident, I managed to flee with my six children to find refuge in a neighbouring village in Niger”, he says, adding “but afterwards we were relocated to Chadakori refugee settlement where we have been living in security since February 2021."

His accident has affected him as he has difficulty moving and performing normal activities, especially going to the toilet.

"With my condition now I have difficulty moving, especially when I have to go to the toilet. I have to struggle to be able to squat and relieve myself and this is often painful. Because of this problem, I often have muscle pain”, he says with an embarrassed look.

With the support of UNHCR, World Vision has provided the site where Adamou lives with clean water and latrines equipped with a chair to help people with disabilities. It has really moved Adamou, who expresses his gratitude.

"I thank World Vision and UNHCR very much for their support to us”, he says. “May God bless them. Here in this site we have clean water everywhere, latrines, showers. Thanks to the latrines the site is now hygienic. The children don't have to relieve themselves behind our tents anymore.”

Adamou is especially grateful for the chair. “What I like the most are the chairs that have been put in the latrines to facilitate use for people with disabilities”, he says. “The installation of this chair is not only a relief for us, but also for pregnant women and old persons. Personally, I can now relieve myself in the latrine peacefully."

The construction of the disability-friendly latrines has brought relief to Adamou, but as a father he can't stop thinking about the time when he could still work to provide for his children.

"Before the attack, I used to carry passengers all over Nigeria in my car and that is how I used to get money to support myself and my family”, he says. “I used to buy food, clothes, and pay for my children's schooling but now that I have broken my foot, it is impossible. I can't even work in a field to earn money", he says, shaking his head in sadness.

Adamou makes a heartfelt appeal to World Vision:

"My family and I are very grateful to have clean water and latrines, especially with the chair in the latrines, but we urgently need more food”, he says. “I would like to get help in order to have a job or an activity that will allow me to provide for my family as before. "