Building resilience in communities, crucial to tackle floods – emergency agency
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mustapha Habib says building resilience in communities is an essential strategy in tackling floods and other disasters in Nigeria.
This he explained was in line with global Standards on disaster risk reduction.
The Director General who stated this at a media parley with Journalists in Lagos, further explained that resilience is the ability of a community to withstand and recover from natural disasters and other crises adding that when communities are resilient, they are better equipped to cope with disasters and minimize their impact.
“There are many ways to build resilience in communities. One approach is to invest in infrastructure that can withstand natural disasters, such as flood barriers, reinforced buildings, and drainage systems. This can be expensive, but it can save lives and prevent damage in the long run.
“Another approach is to educate the community about disaster preparedness. This includes teaching people how to evacuate safely, how to stockpile emergency supplies, and how to communicate with each other during a crisis. This can be done through community events, social media, and other outreach efforts.”
The significant roles of community participation were also highlighted when he made a presentation to Nigerian Governors during the meeting of the Nigerian Governors Forum in Abuja.
Ahmed referenced the country’s triple response structure for disaster and emergency management and said; “As we know disasters are local and to enhance our disaster management capabilities, it is imperative that State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) are fully operationalized and Local Management Committees (LMCs) are activated. These bodies will play a crucial role in ensuring effective disaster response at the state and local levels.”
Furthermore, he specifically pointed to the fact that ecological funds are shared among the three tiers of Government for the purpose of triple response, noting that since the national government has been living up to its responsibilities, the sub-national and local government should also make apply the funds received for this purpose to address disaster-related situations in their areas.
“It is important to also address the root causes of natural disasters. Climate change is a major contributor to the frequency and severity of floods and other disasters. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and investing in renewable energy, we can help mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce the risk of natural disasters.
“There is no doubt that local authorities play vital roles in flood prevention, mitigation, and management. They must work together with federal and state authorities to identify areas at risk of flooding, develop emergency response plans, educate the public, and coordinate recovery efforts. By working together with the community, emergency services, and other stakeholders, local authorities can help reduce the impact of floods on communities and ensure that they are prepared to respond effectively to a flood event,” the Director General added.