The Federal Government has activated the National Emergency Operation Centre to coordinate responses and provide timely support to victims of floods and public health concerns. This was announced by Mrs. Zubaida Umar, Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), during a National Emergency Coordination Forum held on Tuesday in Abuja.
The forum, which brought together various stakeholders, aimed to review the current flood situation and strengthen mitigation and response strategies across Nigeria. Zubaida stated that the newly activated centre will share vital information, offer timely assistance to affected regions, and collate and analyze flood incident data to ensure precise emergency responses.
She expressed optimism that this initiative, along with efforts from other stakeholders, would significantly minimize the impact of flooding. The NEMA Director General also highlighted the agency’s ongoing efforts to prepare for the predicted 2024 flood disaster, as forecasted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NISA).
So far, 20 states and 52 local government areas have already been affected by flooding. Zubaida emphasized the importance of public awareness and proper waste management to mitigate the effects of floods. She also noted that the workshop would inspire NEMA to take more proactive measures to protect citizens and improve response efforts in flood-affected areas.
Mr. Trond Jensen, Head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) in Nigeria, praised NEMA for its leadership in disaster preparedness and response. He stressed the need for efficient resource use and anticipatory actions to address cholera outbreaks, urging collaboration among all stakeholders to enhance emergency response capabilities.
Jensen also highlighted the importance of preparedness in preventing cholera outbreaks and assured that UN-OCHA, along with UNICEF, the World Health Organisation, and other partners, would continue to support efforts to protect the lives of Nigerians and build resilient communities.
