HADR Institute Global Disaster Snapshot - Edition 026

Welcome to this new edition of the HADRI GDS (026), 25th September - 1st October 2023.

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This report includes analyses on:

1️⃣ Nigeria | Cases surge in diphtheria outbreak

2️⃣ Morocco | Risk of disease in earthquake aftermath

3️⃣ European Union | Migration from northern Africa increases

4️⃣ Pakistan | Bomb blast kills at least 60

1. Nigeria | Cases surge in diphtheria outbreak (September 27)

Recent months have seen a deadly surge in diphtheria cases in Nigeria. The vaccine- preventable and highly contagious disease has been an increasing issue in Nigeria since March 2022. United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria estimates 11,500 recent suspected cases of diphtheria. 453 lives have been claimed, overwhelmingly made up of children. Local reporting identifies Kano, the second most populous state, as the epicentre of the outbreak with over 6000 cases. Other states with significant infected populace include Yobe, Katsina and Borno. As 58% of Nigerian youth under 15 are unvaccinated, numbering approximately 2.2 million children, there is an increased risk of death as well as spread of the disease.

2. Morocco | Risk of disease as earthquake response continues (September 27)

With approximated 2.8 million people affected by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco, there are ongoing critical shortfalls in the provision of aid which has sparked the increase of health security concerns in the region. The movement of aid to remote villages within the mountain ranges has been slow and consisted mainly of food and water. Reports from locals have stated that while aid has begun to reach them, they have had little access to basic sanitation and hygiene resources like toilets. Subsequently, the fear of illness has begun to rise. The slow movement of aid resources has been due to the remote location of villages affected by the earthquakes. The majority of the roads to these villages have been damaged or completely blocked off by the earthquake.

3. European Union | Increase in migration from northern Africa (September 28)

The surge of migration to Lampedusa has been fuelled by multifactorial issues, including Tunisia’s economic crisis, increasing racial discrimination, and political instability in Sub- Saharan Africa. To manage the rapid influx of migration, the current strategy of the European Commission consists of a ten-point plan which aims to relieve economic instability for Tunisia through ‘macro-financial assistance'. The plan further aims to assist Tunisia in combating human traffickers through ongoing financial assistance. The EU may further loan Tunisia more than 1 billion euros for the country to use at its discretion.

3. Pakistan | Fatalities in mosque bombing (September 29)

Up to 30 people have been killed, and over 50 others have been injured in a suicide bomb attack in Mastung, Pakistan. The attack occurred at a mosque in the southwestern Balochistan province as people gathered at a Rabiul Awwal procession. A significant number of casualties are still being treated at various hospitals. Local authorities reportedly resorted to social media appeals for blood donations, fearing a rapid depletion of supplies due to the high demand for patient care.

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