Keeping natural disasters at bay

Since 1989, October 13 of every year has been observed as the International Day for Disaster Reduction. The day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to promote a global culture of disaster awareness, reduction, prevention, mitigation and preparedness. The international day is also meant to demonstrate the different ways that people and […]

Since 1989, October 13 of every year has been observed as the International Day for Disaster Reduction. The day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly to promote a global culture of disaster awareness, reduction, prevention, mitigation and preparedness. The international day is also meant to demonstrate the different ways that people and communities are working and can work to reduce disaster risk and raise awareness about the importance of disaster risk reduction. It also seeks to create awareness on the dangers of natural disasters and the need for authorities and citizens to be proactive so that they are not taken unawares.
The 2016 edition marks the launch of the new "Sendai Seven" campaign anchored on the seven targets of the Sendai Framework, the first of which is reducing mortality from disasters. Some of the disasters that Nigeria has suffered over the years include drought, disease epidemics, flood, pest swarms, fire outbreaks, heavy storms, erosion, and landslides. For example, the devastation caused by floods across the country in 2012 is still fresh in our memories. Though it was the worst flood disaster to occur in the country in 70 years, the lesson from it was that Nigeria was not prepared, hence it left on its wake a heavy death toll and property destruction worth billions of Naira.
At a conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Preparedness held in Japan in 2012, the Federal Government admitted that this country’s disaster preparedness faces several challenges. They include “vulnerability and capacity analysis (VCA) yet to be concluded due to financial constraints; inadequate hazard early warning systems; inadequate involvement of the regional commission for trans-boundary implementation of DRR programmes; lack of existing database for disaster information apart from the website; inadequate monitoring and evaluation of projects where EIAs were conducted; and non-coordination of existing information into central repository system data bank.”
To underscore the need for reducing disasters, the Nigeria Red Cross Society recently called on the federal government to include environmental disaster reduction and management in secondary schools’ curriculum. Vice Chairman of Red Cross Society, South East Professor Peter Katchy made the call in Enugu. He said environmental disaster reduction and management should be the responsibilities of every individual. “The earlier we catch them and start teaching them how to amend the human errors made by older generations in destroying our environment and ecosystem, the better for them and upcoming generations. With a futuristic plan involving the younger generation, we could salvage what is left in the carnage we have already done that have brought deforestation, pollution of waters and release of dangerous chemicals and gas through wars. It is time the federal government incorporates disaster reduction and management in schools’ curriculum, especially at the secondary school level, so that these young people could understand our cry over protecting our environment,’’ he said.
We urge government to provide appropriate funding for the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) which is charged with responsibility of mitigating and responding to disaster situations in all parts of the country. Also, concrete steps should be taken to keep these disasters at bay.  Citizens have to deliberately reduce their exposure to disasters by making certain changes to their attitude. People constructing buildings should avoid using substandard materials like fake electrical cables in the wiring of their houses, among others. Emergency outlets should also be created to enable escape in the event of fire outbreaks.  They should avoid building houses in river valleys. Government should also relocate people living in flood prone areas and prevent new constructions in such areas so that on a yearly basis, lives and property are not lost to flood. 
We call on government to engage in massive enlightenment programmes to educate the populace on ways to check disasters.  State governments, all relevant agencies and traditional rulers must work together to stem the tide of disasters across the country.