NEMA Counsels Nigerians On Disaster Risk Reduction

Disaster risk reduction, is currently on the front burner of the agenda of governments and parastatals, Nigeria inclusive.

It was in line with this, that the the National Emergency Management Agencies (NEMA) today commemorated the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.

With the theme: “Fighting Inequality for the Resilient Future”, it was in the bid to prepare the minds for that certain eventuality.

The Director General of National Emergency Management Agencies (NEMA), Mustapha Ahmed, speaking there, said women, children, and elderly are more prone to disaster risks.

READ ALSO: 48-Hour Heavy Rainfall Coming With Strong Winds & Flooding In 23 States + Abuja – NiMET

Ahmed who advocated conscious efforts to reduce poverty and inequality, said it could help towards disaster risk reduction.

According to him, this would particularly reduce the expoosure of women, children, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities to natural and manmade disasters.

 “Inequality and disaster vulnerability exist side by side.

“Unequal access to services, income inequality, unequal opportunities and discrimination, and non-adaption of fiscal policy that promotes equality have exposed majority of global population, especially women, children, the elderly, and people living with disabilities to disaster risk”, he said.

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“Developing countries like ours and small Island states have been recognised as facing inequality and therefore bear the adverse effect of disaster, especially the one induced by climate change and climate variability”, he added..

Disaster risk reduction efforts, he counselled further, should encompass awareness creation and concerted efforts of all for the desired result to be achieved.

“The Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction calls for more dedicated action on tackling underlying disaster risks drivers such as poverty and inequality.

READ ALSO: 48-Hour Heavy Rainfall Coming With Strong Winds & Flooding In 23 States + Abuja – NiMET

“Disaster risk reduction requires empowerment and inclusive, accessible and non-discriminatory participation, paying attention to people disproportionately affected by disasters especially the poor”, he stated.

The Eagle reports that Nigeria had alerts early in the year of likely flood disasters to be occasioned by flooding.

The United Nations which gave the warning, said the flooding would put 372 out of the country’s 744 local government areas at risk.

“Climate disasters are happening at frightening rates in Nigeria, and the administration now says it will prioritize efforts to counter the effects of climate change.

In 2022 alone, flooding killed at least 662 people, injured 3,174, displaced about 2.5 million, and destroyed 200,000 houses individuals”, the global agency said.

Incidences such as the above, underscore the need for disaster risk reduction mechanisms to be put in place to avert colossal damages.