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Flood: NEMA signs pact with NESREA, NOA On Disaster Management
Ag. Zonal Coordinator
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N
ational Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Orientation Agency (NOA) and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) towards fighting disasters and flooding in particular, in Nigeria. The agreement was signed at the NEMA headquarters in Abuja. Umesi Emenike Zonal Coordinator
Speaking at the event, the Director-General of
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Vol. 5 No. 21 September 2013
NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi said the MoU will go a long way in helping to reduce and manage disasters in the country. Over N2.1 trillion was lost, about 7 million people affected while more than 500, 000 houses were destroyed by flood in Nigeria last year. Earlier this year, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) warned of a repeat of last year's floods in some states with some already experiencing the disaster. But the NEMA boss who said last year's losses were regrettable, expressed optimism that the collaboration between the three agencies will reduce the effects of the disaster this year. "We can't afford to have a repeat of last year. As a result of what happened last year, we [NEMA, NESREA and NOA] have decided to come together as a team so that we can carry out early sensitization with a view to take early actions to reduce the impacts of flooding in 2013."
DG NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi, (Centre) DG NESREA Dr Mgeri Benebo (3rd from left) and DG NOA Mike Omeri (2nd from left) with other officials immediately after the signing of MoU on disaster management at NEMA Hqrts
While highlighting the benefits of the partnership, Sani Sidi assured that NEMA will carry out its own responsibilities as contained in the MoU. Cont. On page 2
Flood: NEMA signs pact with NESREA, NOA On Disaster Management Cont. From page 1
The Director-General of NOA, Mike Omeri accused Nigerians of engaging in "Environmental corruption." He insisted that Nigerians' negative attitudes to their environments are posing serious challenges to the government, stressing that government's efforts to fight disasters would be in vain except Nigerians change their attitudes. The NOA boss said the MOU will strengthen government's capacity to control environmental disasters. While promising to fully implement the agreement,
he urged other government agencies which have disaster management as part of their functions to join the collaboration. Similarly, the Director-General of NESREA, Dr. Mgeri Benebo highlighted the importance of the collaboration but was fast to advise that emphasis should be placed on prevention. "The developed world has the capacity to control disaster but Nigeria doesn't. So emphasis should be placed on prevention." Dr. Benebo who said the signing of the MoU was a movement from rhetoric to "real action" in the fight against disasters, also promised that NESRA will fulfill its own part of the agreement.
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NEMA Newsletter Vol. 5 No. 21 September 2013 / Page 2
NEMA Urges action against Flood, Establish IDPs Camps
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s the rainy season reaches its peak, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged State Governments and other stakeholders to match their words with actions towards addressing the challenges of flood especially now that some communities are already being devastated by the disaster. Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, said early action will prevent a recurrence of the huge losses from the 2012 flood. He spoke in Abuja while receiving a delegation from The World Bank that visited the Headquarters of the Agency.
DG NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi reading out notes to World Bank team leader Mr Raffaelle Cervigni when they paid him a courtesy visit
He said since the release of the 2013 Seasonal Rainfall Predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) which indicated the likelihood of flood in some parts of the country, the National Emergency Management Agency has undertaken a series of activities on awareness creation and also secured commitment of the stakeholders towards proactive measures and building community resilience against the disaster. Some of these included early warning alerts, media campaigns, training of community based organizations, consultative meetings with the stakeholders, mapping of the communities at risk and evacuation plan among others. Furthermore, Sani Sidi said a high power team of the Agency has also embarked on advocacy visits to State Governors while official camps are already erected in safe grounds in identified flood-prone areas to accommodate persons that may be displaced by the disaster. He said the camps are provided with basic facilities such as security, water and sanitation as well as food, adding that it will prevent the use of public schools by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
NEMA officials in a meeting with World Bank official
Earlier, leader of The World Bank team, Mr Raffaelle Cervigni, said they were at the Agency to identify areas where the bank could support the efforts towards increasing community resilience to disasters in the country. So far there have been reports of flood in some communities in Bauchi, Plateau, Katsina and Jigawa states, among others.
NEMA Newsletter Vol. 5 No. 21 September 2013 / Page 3
SAFE GROUNDS IDENTIFIED FOR IDP CAMPS
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o avoid the use of schools as temporary camps, the National Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with Imo and Delta state governments has identified safer grounds for the siting of official camps for persons that may be displaced by the 2013 flood predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET. The Director General, Muhammad Sani Sidi, stated this at separate consultative fora with stakeholders in emergency management in Owerri, Imo and Asaba the Delta state capital, organized by the agency in collaboration with the various State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) He said that the purpose of the consultation was to acquaint the people with the preparations being made by the agency and also to interact with the stakeholders to review areas that need further collaboration. ''It is the responsibility of each of us to make sure we don't have a repeat of last year's flood'' he told participants.
the training of volunteers in basic disaster management, advocacy, sensitization and awareness campaign in the various communities to avoid the repeat of what happened in 2012. He also urged the stakeholders to match the early warning campaign with early action. He reiterated that the focus of the agency was to ensure that IDP camps were provided outside school system to avoid disruption of school activities. He commended the activities of the both state governments for taking early action in preparation of the 2013 flood. One of the IDP camps inspected in Asaba, Delta State is located in the state capital and can accommodate up to 5000 persons. Another temporary camp site at Alaoma Development Center in Oguta LGA, Imo State was also visited. Participants at the consultative meetings included community leaders, officials of SEMAs, Red Cross, Civil Defence, Faith Based Organisation, and NGOs.
Sani Sidi said that the agency has been involved in
Flood - Kogi Sets Up 22 Tents
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ogi State Government has set up 22 tents at Inikpi Camp in Idah for those that may be displaced by flood in Ibaji Local Government Area.
Assessing the tents on Monday, Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, Alice Ogedengbe, said the camp was made possible through the efforts of the state government and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as well as other stakeholders in emergency management. She said the state is making adequate arrangements so that they are not taken unawares. Earlier, NEMA Zonal Coordinator for Abuja office, Ishaya Chonoko said: "We cannot stop flood but early preparation is in the right direction".
He called on local government areas affected by the disaster last year to collaborate with other stakeholders, especially security agencies to guarantee safety at the various camps, stressing the need for good camp management. Meanwhile, following release of water from Jebba hydroelectric dam, the state deputy governor, Yomi Awoniyi has called on people living around flood prone areas to move to higher grounds. The call was contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the deputy governor, Abu Michael. Awoniyi said Jebba reservoir that was at elevation 99.09 millimetre has risen to 102.42 millimetre "following copious inflow receipt".
Jigawa Flood Victims Get Relief Materials
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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has presented relief materials to flood victims in four local government areas of Jigawa.
R-L Representative of Inspector General of Police, DG NEMA, Commissioner for Special Duties, Delta State and representative of Commandant General NSCDC during flood consultation meeting in Asaba Delta State
Cross section of participants at flood consultative meeting in Aloama development center Oguta LGA Imo State
The items were presented to the Special Assistant to the Governor on Emergency Management, Alhaji Sani Kangire, in Birninkudu. NEMA said the materials should be distributed to flood victims in Babura, Taura, Gagarawa and Sule-Tankarkar Local Government Areas. Head of Administration, NWZ, Hajia Amina Ahman presenting relief items
DG NEMA and Delta SEMA officials inspecting the camp site organized for Internally Displaced Persons as part of preparation for impending flood in Delta State
DG NEMA and Executive Secretary IMO SEMA granting interview to members of the press at the Site of the IDPs camp in Aloama Oguta LGA Imo State
NEMA Newsletter Vol. 5 No. 21 September 2013 / Page 4
to the SA SEMA Jigawa, Hon. Sani Magaji Kangire for Victims of flood The North West Zonal Coordinator of in some LGAs of the state. NEMA, who was represented by Hajiya Amina Ahman, the Zonal Head of mosquito nets and 500 nylon mats. Administration in Jigawa, said the items included 150 bags of rice as well as 100 bags each of maize, Also delivered are 300 bags of cement, 300 bundles millet and guinea-corn. of roofing sheets, 300 packets of zinc nails and 100 bags of nails. Others are 30 bags of sugar, 100 cartons of detergent, 100 bags of bathing soap, 200 pieces of Kangire, in his remarks, pledged to distribute the mattresses, 200 pieces of blankets, 100 pieces of relief materials to the victims as directed by NEMA.
NEMA Newsletter Vol. 5 No. 21 September 2013 / Page 5
Osun communities sensitized on disaster management
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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has raised the consciousness of communities in Osun State on disaster management as it trained volunteers at the grassroots level on disaster management and risk reduction with special focus on flood prevention and control. Speaking during the training workshop, NEMA South-West Zonal Coordinator, Mr. Iyiola Akande, observed that since disaster occurs in the communities and people inhabiting the communities are the first responders they occur, it was imperative to sensitise rural dwellers to enhance their resilience. According to Akande, “the sensitisation is aimed at raising the consciousness of the people on proactive disaster management and risk reduction through community collaboration for an effective disaster prevention, mitigation and coordination among members of vulnerable communities. “Disaster occurs in the communities, it is paramount to build the capacity of first responders to emergencies so as to step up the resilience of potential victims of emergencies and disasters. “Local authorities have direct link with key service delivery to their communities. They should be the best informed with regard to hazards and risks associated with their environment.
Mr Iyiola Akande, South West zonal coordinator responding to media questions
“This is why officials of Local Government areas are not left out in this workshop, for disaster management to have positive impact. Local government councils and communities must be involved in developing their own preventive, mitigation and response to strategies.” In her remark, NEMA Senior Disaster Risk Reduction Officer, Miss Aikpokpo Ebahi cautioned people against blockage of water ways, stressing that the people of the state should avoid building on river banks.
Protect IDPs from abuse-NEMA
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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on disaster managers and other stakeholders to protect Internally Displaced Persons from all forms of abuse while in camp.
NEMA's Northwest Zonal Coordinator, Musa Ilallah made the call in Katsina at a one-day workshop on `Camp Set-up, Management, Administration and Closure'. He said the camps for internally displaced persons were set up to provide temporary shelter to victims of disasters and not serve as avenue to subject them to abuses.
Ilallah, represented by Hajiya Amina Ahman, advised camp managers to also ensure that such persons were not denied their rights to food, health care, family unity and security. He called for enhanced collaboration between all stakeholders in the management of camps in order to achieve the desired objective. It is our hope that this workshop will improve the standard of living of the Internally Displaced Persons in camps by upholding their rights and ensuring that camps are properly established and well managed,” he said.
NEMA Newsletter Vol. 5 No. 21 September 2013 / Page 6
Kaduna Flood Victims get relief materials
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he National Emergency Management A g e n c y (NEMA) has donated relief items to victims of flood disaster in some communities in Karatudu, Goni Gora and Romi in Chikun Local Government areas of Kaduna state. Presenting the items, the Coordinator of NEMA NorthWest zone, Mr Musa Ilallah, said the relief items were to cushion the hardship faced by the affected flood victims.
NW Zonal Coordinator, Musa Ilalla making a symbolic presentation of Reliefs items for flood victims
He explained that the agency had carried out a rapid assessment of the affected areas and was responding to the needs of the victims in time. The Zonal Coordinator appealed to private organizations and wealthy individuals to complement government's efforts towards assisting victims of disasters in the country.
One of the victims, Mordecai Ibrahim, while commending NEMA for the rapid response, lamented that the relief materials were a far cry from what they lost during the flood disaster. He appealed to the state government to provide funds for those whose houses were destroyed to enable them rent houses.
Items donated were 500 bags of rice, 50 bags each of maize, millet and guinea corn, 100 cartons of noodles, 50 cartons each of milk and chocolate, 30 bags of sugar, 300 pieces of blanket, 20 gallons of vegetable oil and palm oil.
At the moment, majority of the victims whose houses were destroyed by the flood are taking refuge in nearby primary schools, while some others are putting up with relations and friends pending when the flood subsidizes.
Flood sensitization in vulnerable communities
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he National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has sensitized vulnerable communities in Kogi State on flood risks to reduce the impact when it occurs.
Speaking at a one-day sensitization workshop, Coordinator of NEMA Abuja Operation Office, Ishaya Isah Chonoko, said the need for sustained awareness across diverse interest groups in vulnerable communities informed the sensitization. Chonoko who was represented by Slaku Lugard said the vulnerable communities needed to be aware of the risks they face and the steps they can take to reduce the risks.
occurs, the affected people often use schools as camps which necessitated the provision of tents by NEMA for those that may be displaced, especially in Ibaji Local Government Area. According to him, all actions to minimize the impact of flood hinged on awareness by stakeholders and communities. Ignorance leads to occupation of flood plains and abuse of town planning laws as well as failure to heed warnings of by relevant agencies to evacuate, thereby endangering lives. Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Kogi State Governor on disaster, Abdulmuminu Isah said the knowledge gained at the workshop would add value to the state government's preparation against flood.
He said the agency realized that when flooding NEMA Newsletter Vol. 5 No. 21 September 2013 / Page 7