NEMA newsletter

Vol. 4 No. 4

Mohammed Kanar

April 2012

Mohammedkanar@yahoo.com

Vol. 4 No. 4

08033035986

April 2012

NEMA warns of heavy rains, flooding

Musa Ilalla Ag. Zonal Coordinator

Musahk123@yahoo.com

08033146397

NEMA warns of heavy rains, flooding page 1 NEMA urges Ilorin residents to vacate flood prone areas page 2 NEMA donates cash to Victims of Kaduna bomb blast page 3 Cross River Host 3605 Displaced Fulanis page 3 African Nations Must Prepare Against Disasters page 4 NEMA Supports Gambia on Disaster and Emergency Management page 4

Umesi Emenike Zonal Coordinator Godwin Tepiko Assistant Zonal Coordinator South-South

Displaced Fulani at one of the Camp in Utanga, Ubanliku LGA of Cross River State page 5 NEMA Distributes Relief Materials to victims of rainstorm in Katsina page 6 NEMA seeks media support in disaster management page 6 Governor Imoke Commends NEMA page 7 NEMA Distributes Relief Materials In Abia And Imo States page 7

Content Supplied by: NEMA Public Relations Division

All correspondences should be addressed to: Public Relations Division, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, No. 8, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent, Maitama, Abuja.

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ational Emergency Management Agency has warned that heavy rains may cause flooding in same parts of the country this year.

To minimize loss of lives and destruction of properties as a result of the heavy rainfall in the months ahead, NEMA has urged traditional rulers to educate their subjects on measures to mitigate the impacts of floods such as embracing the tree planting initiative of government.

The agency gave the warning at a one-day meeting on Flood Early Warning System Preparedness and Mitigation it organised for traditional rulers and stakeholders in Abagana, Anambra State.

At the event, the South-East Zonal

Coordinator of NEMA, Dr. Bandele Onimode, stated that with the increasing threats from climate change, “the frequency and intensity of the hazard was certain to be on the increase”.

He said, “It would be good for us to intensify our risk reduction, mitigation and preparedness efforts to boost our resilience and reduce our vulnerabilities.”

Onimode said in 2011, flooding was recorded in virtually all the states but was critical in nine states, including Anambra.

He said the essence of the meeting was to interact with the traditional rulers, as custodians of the people's culture, with a view to generating ideas on how to tackle future flood challenges in the South-East.

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He advised the participants to use the knowledge gained at the programme to save the area from further losses occasioned by flooding and other related natural disasters.

The assistant coordinator also urged the rural dwellers to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood by accommodating victims of natural disasters and giving them other necessary assistance in their turbulent period, stressing that government alone could not do everything.

He stressed the need for adopting best practices in building constructions,

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he National Emergency Ma n ag e m e n t Ag e n c y (NEMA) has donated about N4m to support four hospitals in Kaduna for the treatment of victims of the recent bomb blast in the state.

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Slaku added that the campaign was also aimed at taking ''proactive measures against flood in the next rainy season,” and promoting ''safe practices amongst the people of the communities.”

April 2012

NEMA donates cash to Victims of Kaduna bomb blast

he National Emergency Ma n ag e m e n t Ag e n c y ( N E M A ) h a s ad v i s e d occupants of structures on Asa River banks in Ilorin and other flood-prone areas in Kwara State to relocate in their own interest.

Addressing the gathering, NEMA’s A s s i st a n t C o o rd i n ato r, A b u j a Operations Office, Mr Lugard Slaku, said the programme was to create awareness among flood-prone communities on the causes, effects and impacts of flooding.

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Bomb Blast:

NEMA urges Ilorin residents to vacate flood prone areas

This came to the fore at a sensitization programme organised by the agency for the people of Afon, headquarters of Asa Local Government Area of the state.

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Asst. zonal coordinator Abuja Operation Office Mr. Lugard Slaku addressing the gathering at a programme electrical installations, refuse dump, and drainage system, saying : ''if you The Special Adviser who was can afford it, build flood barriers represented by the Secretary to the around your house.

S t ate E m e r g e n c y a n d R e l i e f Committee, Hajia Salamat Yahaya ''Dig trenches to control the water thanked the state government for around the home and farmland in providing succour to victims of order to divert flood waters away disasters across the state, even as she from properties and farmland; during lauded the collaboration between a rainfall, monitor river levels and SEMA and NEMA. make timely decisions on when to evacuate. Two or more persons can In his remark, the Chairman of Asa volunteer.”

Local Government Area, Dr Mufutau Bolaji Yahyah, said his council has Representatives of Red Cross Society provided relief materials to disasters, of Nigeria and the Nigeria Security victims. and Civil Defence Corps also educated the community on disaster On his part, the Baale of Afon, Alhaji management and risk reduction.

Adelodun Ibrahim, urged the state government to also ensure prompt Earlier, the Special Adviser to the response to emergency cases as well Kwara State Governor on Emergency as improve on its disbursement of and Relief Services, Alhaji Musa relief materials to the victims.

Abdullahi, who declared the programme open, said the purpose of Ibrahim also called on the Federal the sensitisation was to create Government to work out modalities awareness on the dangers inherent in capable of bringing down the cost of f l o o d d i s a st e r a n d p u t t h e building materials to make them community through on necessary affordable. measures to mitigate the impact of such incident.

The victims of the explosion which occurred on Easter Day are currently receiving treatment at designated medical facilities which include Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Shika Zaria; 44 Army Reference Hospital; Barau Dikko Specialist Hospital and St. Gerards Hospital all in Kaduna, Kaduna State.

Some victims of the bomb blast were also given cash donations as a means of offsetting their essential needs while undergoing treatment in the hospitals.

The Director Search and Rescue of NEMA, Air Commodore Alexander Bankole who represented the Director General said the government's gesture was intended to support affected victims of disaster to ameliorate their plight.

In his remarks, the Acting Zonal Coordinator, NEMA North West Zone, Alhaji Musa Ilallah stated “the agency will continue to discharge its re s p o n s i b i l i t y p ro m pt l y a n d efficiently towards assisting victims of natural and man-induced disaster.”

Zonal coordinator North West Musa Ilalla presenting cash donation to the victims of bomb blast at hospital in kaduna

Cross River Hosts 3605 Displaced Fulanis ollowing a violent clash between farmers and cattle rearers in Benue State, 3605 affected persons, mostly Fulani nomads are currently taking refuge in four temporary camps in Utanga, Obanliku local Government area of Cross River State.

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A team from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) who visited the camps to provide relief materials last weekend confirmed t h at t h e te m p o ra r y c a m p s accommodate 905 men, 1499 women and 1201 children.

The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-Sidi commended the Cross River State Government for accommodating the displaced persons and for providing borehole, tents and water tanks at the camps.

The NEMA boss asked the camp m a n ag e rs to e n s u re d i re ct distribution of the items to the displaced people and that efforts should be made to ensure their return to their respective settlements in Katsina Ala, Benue State after the resolution of the conflict.

government and NEMA for providing the relief assistance.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Director General Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mr. Vincent Aquah observed that the continued influx of more persons to the camps require more Mr. Mike Adeyanju, who spoke on facilities and supports from the behalf of NEMA boss also appealed to government and stakeholders. the displaced Fulanis to maintain peace and cooperate with people in The representatives of displaced their host community. persons, Malam Wakili Abdullahi, Responding on behalf of the host said they had fled to the camps for community, Vice Chairman of safety and security after the crisis that Obanliku Local Government area e r u pte d i n Kat s i n a -A l a l o c a l Mrs. Margaret Achinikon said the government area of Benue state. He council was instructed by the State thanked the host communities for Governor to create the temporary their supports and promised to shelters for the displaced persons. She ensure peace and and harmony in the expressed gratitude to the federal camps .

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African Nations Must Prepare Against Disasters

Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy Gambian VP

- VP Gambia Nigeria's National Emergency management in the sub-region.”

Management Agency (NEMA) on He said: “NEMA would send two Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). technical officers to Gambia to She said “the key word in disaster strengthen the capacity of NDMA and management is preparedness and we offer placement for disaster putting in place mechanisms to ward managers for studies in any of the six off and prevent disasters from government-owned universities in wreaking havoc on humanity and Nigeria that offer postgraduate programme in disaster management their means of livelihood.” and a Centre for Simulation exercise.”

Dr. Isatou Saidy also described Nigeria as “a big brother in Africa which he Gambian Vice President always supports sister-countries and Minister of Women towards socio-political development Affairs, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy in the region.” has urged Africa nations to be adequately prepared against Leading a delegation from Nigeria in natural and man-induced disasters signing the agreement, the Director due to various factors including the General of NEMA, Alhaji Muhammad climate change and terrorism in the Sani-Sidi said “the partnership continent. between NEMA and Gambia in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) is a The Vice President made the remarks b e g i n n i n g o f S o u t h - S o u t h in the State House, Banjul Gambia cooperation that include sharing of after a bilateral agreement between knowledge and ideas and provision of the Gambian National Disaster logistical supports for disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and

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Present at the occasion were the Nigeria's Ambassador to Gambia, Mrs Esther Audu, the UN Resident Coordinator, Mrs. Chinwe Dike, Executive Director National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Mr. Essa Khan and some relevant cabinet ministers and Service chiefs in The Gambia.

The three-day study tour and bilateral agreement included visit to strategic areas and hotspots that are relevant to disaster management in Gambia.

NEMA Supports Gambia on Disaster and Emergency Management

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he National Emergency Management Agency has approved the deployment of two technical officers to The Gambia to support the country in the takeoff of its National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).

The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani-sidi made the disclosure at the commencement of a 3-day visit to The Gambia to formalize the partnership between the two countries. He said the essence of the collaboration is in realization of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework of Action, The African Regional Strategy and its Plan of Action 2006 2015, the ECOWAS Policy on Disaster Risk Reduction and the need to implement this at the National level.

Sani-Sidi who also met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in the Gambia, Mrs. Chinwe Dike said the two Technical Officers have

backgrounds in Planning, forecasting and Search and Rescue operations and would be seconded to the Gambia in April 2012.

has capacities in Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction and one of the best established structures in Africa.

The agency he added might consider offering placement to some officers of G a m b i a ' s N at i o n a l D i s a ste r Management Agency to participate in master's programme in Disaster Management being offered in 6 Nigerian Universities, to strengthen their capacity.

He said the request to NEMA would strengthen the Gambian National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in the areas of capacity building, Monitoring & Evaluation, P r o g r a m m e i m p l e m e n t at i o n , Planning and Search and Rescue.

The Executive Director, Gambia's National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Essa Khan said a four-man delegation from the NDMA had paid a study/facility visit to NEMA in 2011 to seek collaborations so as to tap from its vast experience in Disaster Management and request for technical support and learn examples of best practices in Disaster Management and Warehousing among others. He said it is widely acknowledged that Nigeria's NEMA

Responding to the remarks at the United Nations House in Banjul, the Coordinator of United Nations in the G a m b i a , M r s . C h i n w e D i ke commended the efforts of the two ECOWAS countries in the partnership which she described as a welcome development in the spirit of SouthSouth cooperation. She promised that the UNDP would examine the partnership with a view to render technical and logistical supports where necessary.

Displaced Fulani at one of the Camp in Utanga, Ubanliku LGA of Cross River State

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NEMA Distributes Relief Materials to victims of rainstorm in Katsina

ational Emergency Ma n ag e m e n t Ag e n c y (NEMA) North-West Zone has distributed relief materials worth millions of Naira to ameliorate the plight of flood victims in the aftermath of the recent torrential rainfall that engulfed some major parts of Katsina State.

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No fewer than 1,033 victims of the flood received the relief materials ranging from food items, clothing and building materials.

The distribution was conducted by the Katsina State governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema, who was represented by t h e p e r m a n e n t s e c ret a r y, Government House and chairman, Distribution Committee.

The relief materials were handed over

to the Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (RERA) and comprises of 1,200 bags of Cement, Bundles of roofing sheets, 1,000 mattresses, 2,000 textile materials, and 2,500 blankets.

Speaking at the occasion, the the assistant zonal coordinator of NEMA, North-West zonal office, Kaduna, Alhaji Abubakar Hamid Alkali, commiserated with the victims, urging them to see their situation as a Other relief items distributed to the trial ordained by Allah, as he is the victims were 150 cans of vegetable oil, only one capable of relieving them of 600 bags of rice, beans guinea-corn their plight. and millet.

He also advised them to adhere The relief materials were shared strictly to the building rules and according to the magnitude of the regulations by avoiding building damages recorded by each victim. along the river banks and waterways Katsina town which has the most and desist from indiscriminate damages during the disaster has the dumping of refuse that might lead to highest number of beneficiaries with flooding.

524 victims, followed by Bakori local government with 106 victims, The executive secretary, RERA, Alh Musawa LG with 98, Kankia with 94, Hassan Rawayau, commended Malumfashi with 79, Daura with 44 NEMA for prompt intervention to the and Dutsi with 37 victims. victims.

NEMA seeks media support in disaster management

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lhaji Muhammad Sidi, Director-General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) urged media organisations to support the Agency in its disaster risk reduction and management responsibility.

Sidi said in Lagos before declaring open a Two-Day National conference on “Tackling Flood Disaster in Nigeria”, that the media would be needed in areas of risk reduction, mitigation and preparedness. The themes of the Conference were; Averting Floods in Nigeria: Issues on Coastal Flooding and Preventing and Managing the Challenges of Rain Floods in Nigeria.

“The press, both print and electronic is important in sensitization, enlightenment and advocacy.

“So important is the press in disaster management that modern day literature refers to the media, Humanitarian organisations and

government (policy makers) as crisis According to him, about 20 per cent of the country's population is at risk of triangle,'' he said. flood emergencies. Sidi said the The NEMA boss said the media was a Agency was in active collaboration major humanitarian actor in its own with the Nigeria Meteorological right, helping to structure a Agency (NIMET) and Federal Ministry of Environment and relevant framework for government policies. agencies in enhancing Flood Early He said the choice of flood as the warning System. conference's theme was timely and was expected to spur individuals, Representative of the Co-convener of communities, private and public the Conference, Tell Magazine, Mr Nosa Igiebor said the organization organisations into actions. partnered NEMA and Lagos State Sidi added that the conference was an Ministry of Environment to create open-door collaboration with the awareness on the danger of flood in media to reduce vulnerability, communities. Igiebor said though enhance resilience and preparedness. coastal communities were mostly exposed to the dangers of flood, some “Flood is today among the most northern States had recently begun to devastating natural disasters across the experience “flash flooding”. The world, claiming lives and destroying Editor-In-Chief of the Tell Magazine urged governments at all levels and property. private organisations to Close ranks in “In Nigeria, flood affects and displaces mitigating effects of flood in communities. more people than any hazard,''

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Governor Imoke Commends NEMA

h e C r o s s R i v e r S t at e Governor, Senator Liyel I m o ke , h a s e x p re s s e d gratitude to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for its commitments towards intervening in disaster incident in the state.

Governor Imoke who made the c o m m e n d at i o n d u r i n g t h e distribution of relief materials sent in

by NEMA for victims of the recent windstorm disaster in Calabar Metropolis said that the leadership of the Agency has lived up to its statutory obligations.

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The Governor who was represented by the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Mr. Vincent Aquah lamented the spate of man-made and natural disasters spreading across the

state, stating that it was mounting undue pressure on the economy of the State.

He sympathized with the victims of the disaster and promised that government would continue to partner with the Federal government and NGOs to promptly intervene in any form of disaster in the state.

Responding on behalf of the victims, Etinyin Lawrence Asido recalled that the windstorm that occurred in February this year in Calabar was unprecedented as it not only pulled down houses but ornamental trees planted to check such storms.

He commended the State Governor Senator Liyel Imoke for his concern Governor Imoke however advised that for the people of the State by the residents should abide by the passionate way he had intervened in r e g u l a t i o n s g o v e r n i n g t h e all areas of needs. construction of building so as to avoid the effect of windstorm and other Etinyin Asido promised that the related environmental hazards. materials would be judiciously put to He noted that most of the houses use to enhance their living standards a f fe cte d we re t h o s e n e e d i n g shattered during the storm. rehabilitation and restructuring and advised Landlords to pay maximum The windstorm disaster victims who attention to the upgrading of their were in their hundreds were given houses in response to the precarious building materials such as cements, climate change. roofing sheets, wood and roofing nails.

NEMA Distributes Relief Materials In Abia And Imo States S t ate s , D r. A b d u l l a h i O n i m o d e , S o u t h - E a st Zonal Coordinator, on behalf of the Director General of NEMA, said that the gesture was aimed at complementing efforts of State Governments to enable the victims to cope with the impact of disaster.

He expressed sympathy with the affected persons NEMA South East Zonal coordinator on the communal crisis Dr. Onimode A. Bandele presenting relief which he described as items to beneficiaries quite unfortunate, calling on the warring factions in He Federal Government Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area t h ro u g h t h e N at i o n a l of Imo State to embrace peace for Emergency Management their own good, as no meaningful Agency (NEMA) has delivered relief progress could take place in an materials valued several millions of atmosphere of crisis. naira to the affected persons of Umuorji-Obu, Umuimo-Obokwe communal crisis in Ngor-Okpala He also said that the increasing Local Government Area of Imo State exposure of communities to disasters and victims of flood and windstorm including floods and windstorms disasters in Aba North, South, which caused havoc in some part of O b i n g w a a n d O h of i a L o c a l Abia State was as a result of global climate change, requiring collective Government Area of Abia State. efforts to address the negative impacts by all the three tiers of government Speaking during the flag-off and and communities affected. distribution of the materials in both

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Furthermore, Onimode informed the Governors of Abia and Imo States that the zonal office and indeed the Agency has faith in their governments and it is the Agency's candid expectation that the States would key into programmes initiated in its bid to reduce disaster incidences in the South-East, such as the Grassroots Emergency Volunteer Corps, the follow-up to Emergency M a n a g e m e n t Va n g u a r d s a programme for corps members, inauguration of Disaster Risk Reduction Clubs in Post-Primary Schools and most importantly, adequate funding and provision of befitting office accommodation for State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

In their separate speeches, the Executive Secretaries of Abia and Imo States Emergency Management Agency Mrs. Ada Kalu Achi and Mrs. Uche Ezeonyeasi respectively expressed gratitude on behalf of their States Government to NEMA, for its prompt intervention, assuring that the materials would be equitably distributed.