NEMA CONVENS A TECHNICAL MEETING OF EXPERTS FOR 2024 CLIMATE-RELATED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES 17-4-24
By Sadiq Aminu The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA has convened a technical meeting of experts for 2024 climate-related disaster preparedness and mitigation strategies. we
This follows the release of this year’s Seasonal Climate Prediction and the Annual Flood Outlook.
The technical experts are expected to analyze the seasonal predictions and flood outlook and come up with measures to address climate-related disasters.
Addressing the meeting in Abuja, the Director General of NEMA Mrs. Zubaida Umar emphasized the urgent need for proactive measures, citing insights from the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Annual Flood Outlook.
Mrs. Umar appreciated the existing collaboration between NEMA and NiMet as well as NIHSA.
She highlighted the importance of reliable data for effective response strategies.
“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”.
She also spoke of NEMA’s action plan for 2024 flood management, noting that the meeting was part of the initial activities following the release of the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction by Nigeria Metrological Service Agency (NiMet) and Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The NEMA Director General urged the participants to also articulate early warning messages that can help to prepare relevant authorities including State Emergency Management Agencies, SEMAs, Local Emergency Management Committees and other stakeholders to take necessary action required to facilitate risk reduction in their respective jurisdictions.
She assured that 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”.
The NEMA DG further said that the Agency will continue to encourage and promote effective co-operation, collaboration and partnership for efficient management of disasters in Nigeria.
The Director General of Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency Dr. Clement Eze who also spoke assured that NIHSA will continue to provide necessary hydrological data for NEMA to aid in its flood management activities.
Among other speakers that presented goodwill messages were representatives of National Space Research and Development Agency, Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Nigerian Police, Directors of Centres of Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies from Ahmadu Bello University and University of Ibadan.
The technical meeting was conceived in line with coordination roles of NEMA and recognition of collective responsibilities towards safeguarding of lives, properties, and livelihoods, with a strong commitment to action.
The meeting is expected to produce a blueprint for action, focusing on enhancing early warning systems and mapping vulnerable communities.