In support of NEMA’s efforts at mitigating disasters

More than any other challenge, humanity is most endangered by perils triggered from either natural or self induced disasters. Over the years, communities all over the world have suffered deaths and destructions from natural elements such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, mudslides, avalanche, hurricanes and draughts. Such sad occurrences constantly expose the limit of human capacity to modify nature, however, it has been observed that human activity plays a significant role in the level of destruction that they inflict on victims.

 

While it is true that natural disasters cannot be tamed, it is also a fact that with careful and sustained plan of action for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), the devastation from disasters can be reduced. This was the motivation behind the declaration by the United Nations General Assembly that every 13th day of October be observed as the International Day for Disaster Reduction. The aim of the declaration was to draw attention to the need for sustained efforts at building resilience and disaster awareness in communities across the globe.

 

In Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is the pivotal agency for disaster management. Since its establishment in 1999, the agency has consistently evolved policies and programmes aimed at disaster risk reduction in the country. The active presence of NEMA in most parts of the country has increased awareness on means of reducing the impact of disasters. For instance, following the agency’s massive awareness campaigns, communities all over the country are now aware of the ills of indiscriminate dumping of refuse that block drainages, thereby leading to flooding. Thanks also to efforts by NEMA; Nigerians are now aware that building along flood plains and lowlands is an invitation to disaster during floods. There is no doubt that the strategy by the agency has resulted in tremendous reduction in the level of devastation from natural disasters. This is obvious especially when comparing the impact of the 2012 flood disaster to subsequent years.

 

The achievement is apparently not by accident as it is a result of many years of sustained planning and activities by the agency.  As a disaster management outfit, NEMA established a National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and designation of a National Focal Point in 2005 with the support of various United Nations agencies.  It also developed a National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Reduction 2006-2015. Other strategies adopted by the agency in improving DRR include; institutionalising of policies and National Action Plans for DRR by all relevant Ministries, Departments, Agencies and groups, improve funding for disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness, mainstream disaster risk reduction into basic and post basic school curriculum, commencement of disaster risk reduction and development studies in six universities in the six geo-political zones of the country, develop and strengthening of institutions, mechanisms and capacities at all levels, in particular at the community level, to methodically contribute to building resilience to hazards. It also systematized the incorporation of risk reduction approaches into the design and implementation of emergency preparedness, response and recovery programs in the reconstruction of affected communities.

The aim of the all inclusive strategy is obviously to systematically integrate DRR into all policies and programs for sustainable development. Available data shows that “Nigerian natural disaster trajectory from 1900-2011 indicates: Drought (1), Epidemic (50), Extreme temperature (2), Flood (35), Insect Infestation (2), Landslide (3), and Storm (3). The largest human casualty was recorded during the epidemic of 1991 where 7,289 lives were lost. The highest number of people affected was recorded in 1983, during the drought induced disaster that affected three million people. The disaster also accounted for the loss of about $71 million.

 

Nigeria has an estimated population of 180 million occupying a landmass of 923,700 km2. The country has continued to experience communal clashes, ethno-religious crisis and farmer-pastoralist conflicts which have led to loss of many lives, destruction of properties and internal displacement of persons. Meanwhile, floods, gully erosion, windstorms and drought among many other natural induced disasters have continued to account for huge economic and social loses to Nigeria.  

 

It is therefore heart-warming that NEMA is leading the emergency management community in the country in bracing up to this diverse emergency challenges in collaboration with the West African sub-regional member nations. Nigeria is a signatory to the Hygo Framework for Action (HFA) adopted in 2005 in Kobe, Japan, which provides a global strategic roadmap to Disaster Risk Reduction. The HFA overreaching goal is to build resilience of nations and communities to disasters, by achieving substantive reduction of losses by 2015 and saving collective social, economic, and environmental assets.

 

In line with this objective, it has become imperative for all Nigerians to sustain support for NEMA towards achieving its set target of mitigating the impact of disasters in the country. It is clear that by its location, Nigeria is prone to several natural disasters. The recent earth tremors that occurred in some parts of Kaduna State should be a wakeup call on the need to further enhance the capacity of NEMA and other relevant agencies in emergency management. The agency has so far vindicated the vision of its founding fathers as it has provided succour to millions of Nigerians in their times of need. NEMA has been there with relief materials after most major human conflicts across the country; this is evident by its commendable efforts in providing relief assistance for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Boko Haram affected areas.

 

The support of President Muhammadu Buhari for the agency since his assumption of office last year is laudable. There is however the need for government to expand the reach of the agency by establishing NEMA offices across the country to enable ease of search and rescue during emergency operations.  

 

As we brace up to emerging disaster challenges, efforts must be made towards mainstreaming DRR into our National Development Plans. This, we must incorporate in our short, medium and long term planning and make sure that governments at all levels shoulder their statutory responsibilities relating to disaster prevention, preparedness and stronger communal resilience. The ultimate objective is to increase awareness in order to reduce mortality from disasters.

Abu, a public analyst wrote from Suleja, Niger State