The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and pertinent stakeholders have initiated efforts to assess and alleviate the effects of the disaster as the onset of rainfall approaches.
The Agency reported that in 2019 alone, there were 126 fatalities, with over 48,000 individuals displaced and millions of Naira worth of property destroyed across the country.
Yesterday, NEMA’s Director General, Zubaida Umar, convened a meeting in Abuja to examine the 2024 seasonal climate forecast.
She stated that the agency had gathered stakeholders and experts to analyze the Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook (AFLO) released by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
She highlighted the aim is to ensure the deployment of appropriate personnel to mitigate the potentially devastating impacts.
She said: “This is the first step amongst others in ensuring that knowledgeable stakeholders gather to deliberate and work out proficient strategies to drive climate intervention processes in Nigeria.
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“Stakeholders with vast experiences in various fields such as Agriculture, Health, Water Resources and Infrastructure have been brought together to brainstorm so as to come up with actionable climate related disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies that would assist in preparing for and responding to expected impact of the predicted climate hazards.
“This has become more compelling given our previous experience of unprecedented climate induced disasters that had affected several communities in Nigeria. As the occurrence of climate related disasters such as floods and epidemics continue to increase, it is evident that human lives.
“Properties as well as livelihoods are threatened. Communities will continue to experience impacts from the increasing extreme climate events that result in disasters.
“To this end, it’s crucial to disseminate and communicate timely and credible early warning information to enable communities and institutions to anticipate and prepare for disasters by implementing anticipatory action before they occur.
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“I am convinced that the articulated early warning message which shall be developed in collaboration with stakeholders here will help to prepare State’s Chief Executives, State Emergency Management Agencies, Local Emergency Management Committees and other stakeholders to take necessary action required to facilitate risk reduction in their respective jurisdictions.
“NEMA will also continue to map vulnerable communities based on the prediction as indicated by our climate risk monitoring agencies to enhance and strengthen enlightenment campaign in critical states.
