The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has organized a National Emergency Coordination forum meeting with stakeholders to assess the situation and enhance collaboration towards implementing mitigation strategies and prompt responses to prevent additional losses from the disaster.
The coordination meeting assembled stakeholders from various critical sectors of flood management to take stock and review strategies for initiating the initial plan of actions following the release of seasonal climate predictions and the annual flood outlook, which indicated a high probability of flooding in the country.
During her address, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, noted that the floods have already impacted communities in 42 Local Government Areas across 18 states, resulting in 44 fatalities.
She emphasized the importance of proactively responding to the flood update and cholera situation nationwide to safeguard citizens’ lives and effectively respond to affected areas.
While commending the stakeholders’ dedication, she urged all relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and non-governmental organizations to remain steadfast in their efforts to mitigate the impact of disasters, particularly the ongoing flooding and cholera outbreaks.
‘NEMA has intensified its efforts to raise public awareness about the necessity of taking precautionary measures to minimize the effects of the predicted flood disaster through awareness campaigns at the local and community levels, as well as through print and electronic media.
“NEMA is conducting sensitization and awareness campaigns on proper waste management at the community level to educate residents on appropriate waste disposal practices and the risks of flooding in vulnerable areas. Furthermore, NEMA has activated the National Emergency Operation Center (EOC) to coordinate responses, share information, provide timely support to affected areas, and compile and analyze flood incident data nationwide.”
The NEMA Director expressed confidence that the meeting’s outcomes will spur further actions to address public health concerns related to the current cholera outbreak in some regions of the country.
She encouraged participants to contribute ideas that will enhance emergency preparedness and response nationwide, aiming to build a resilient community.
In his remarks, the Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) in Nigeria, Mr. Trond Jensen, pledged the United Nations Systems’ cooperation and support in working with NEMA to manage disasters in the country. Similar assurances of support for NEMA and disaster management were provided on behalf of the Nigerian Military by Rear Admiral Umar Faruk of the Nigerian Navy and other esteemed speakers.
