Faced with the threat of cholera in the neighboring Far North region, the U-report platform in Garoua conducted an awareness campaign at the Wastang market. For two hours, traders and shoppers were encouraged to adopt hygiene practices to prevent the disease.
Prevention remains one of the most effective weapons against waterborne diseases. It is with this in mind that the U-report platform in Garoua organized an awareness campaign at the Wastang market on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
This initiative aimed to inform traders, street vendors, and the many visitors about the importance of respecting hygiene rules in order to prevent the outbreak of cholera in the northern region.This action comes in a context marked by the presence of cholera in the Far North region, which directly borders the North region.
Daily population movements between the two regions and trade increase the risk of the disease spreading, hence the need for proactive measures by raising community awareness about appropriate behaviors.Members of the U-Report platform took to the aisles of the Wastang market.
Wearing yellow vests, appropriate safety gear, and protective gloves, they mingled with vendors and shoppers to deliver preventative messages. Their presence did not go unnoticed. Many curious onlookers stopped to listen to the explanations and talk with the volunteers.Awareness campaigns specifically targeted vendors of produce, fruits, vegetables, grains, and other foodstuffs.
These retailers, in constant contact with consumers, play a strategic role in the prevention chain. Discussions focused on simple actions that can significantly reduce the risk of contamination.The volunteers emphasized the importance of washing hands regularly with clean water and soap before preparing meals, after using the toilet, and before handling food.
They also reiterated the importance of drinking clean water, protecting food from flies, keeping stalls clean, and properly disposing of waste to prevent the spread of germs.The choice of Wastang Market was not accidental. During this rainy season, several areas of the market have stagnant pools of water.
This water, combined with poor waste management, creates an environment conducive to the proliferation of numerous pathogens. Members of U-report therefore urged vendors to regularly clean their sales areas and to avoid any practices that could lead to food contamination.
Interview
« We went down to raise awareness among the population in order to prevent cholera from arriving. »
Can you tell us about the U-Report organization?
The U-Report is a platform that allows young people to express themselves, to make their voices heard, and to create a dialogue between young people and decision-makers on issues affecting youth.
What are the main areas in which you operate?
The U-Report operates in the fields of health, education, environmental protection, water, hygiene and sanitation, and also in the areas of digital technology and entrepreneurship.It should be remembered that the U-Report was initially set up under the leadership of MINJEC and is now at the disposal of UNICEF, which oversees the U-Report by UNICEF.
What was the objective of this awareness session organized this morning at the Wastang market?
The aim of today’s awareness campaign is to highlight the devastating cholera outbreak in the Far North, a reality already evident. Areas in the Far North are affected by cholera, and we felt it was important to take action to prevent its spread in Garoua.We went down to raise awareness among the population to prevent cholera from arriving. We mustn’t wait for cholera to strike before taking action, but rather act proactively to prevent it from reaching Garoua. Today, we went to the Wastang market and spoke with the community, with the vendors who were displaying and selling food directly on the ground. You will see how next to it there is waste and right next to it there are people selling things.
What do you expect from businesses and the public at the end of this campaign?
We went to tell the public, and to tell the vendors, to take hygiene measures so as not to expose those who come to buy their food, to cover the food, and not to display it next to the garbage cans that are right nearby. We also told those who came to buy food that when you buy it, you must wash it before eating it, and that certain foods should always be boiled before consumption, or that food should be heated over a flame before eating.
The message was directed at both the vendors and the shoppers. For over two hours, we walked around the market, spending time at the entrance to talk with shoppers and engaging with the vendors displaying their food. After this awareness campaign, we contacted the vendors.
They have personally committed to helping us for a future meeting, namely to come and clean this market which needs to be cleaned and the traders have committed to accompanying us and we will accompany them as well since it is a matter of their health.
