Stakeholders seek improved disaster response in Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara

Key stakeholders have converged to launch a disaster response initiative aimed at addressing the recurrent flood crises plaguing northern Nigeria. The gathering, led by ChristianAid Nigeria in partnership with USAID, launched the “Enhancing Coordination Systems for Disaster Response in Nigeria” (ECODiN) program to enhance disaster preparedness across Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. The ECODiN program […]

Key stakeholders have converged to launch a disaster response initiative aimed at addressing the recurrent flood crises plaguing northern Nigeria.

The gathering, led by ChristianAid Nigeria in partnership with USAID, launched the “Enhancing Coordination Systems for Disaster Response in Nigeria” (ECODiN) program to enhance disaster preparedness across Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.

The ECODiN program targets the three northern states, which have experienced devastating floods in recent months, displacing hundreds. By working with state and community-based agencies, the program seeks to empower disaster risk reduction (DRR) institutions to improve flood response and resilience in these communities.

Speaking on the holistic approach of ECODiN, which aims to enhance the capacity of both formal and informal disaster response systems across six Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the target states, ChristianAid Nigeria’s Executive Director, Temitope Fashola, said: “We co-created the program with State Emergency Management Agencies in Sokoto, Katsina, and Zamfara,” adding that it was informed by stakeholder interviews and past successes.

He said: “Adopting a tailored mix of interventions in line with the National DRR strategy, the program will engage local agencies, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), and grassroots structures to coordinate responses and provide support to vulnerable communities, while strengthening local ownership and participation, leveraging grassroots experience, adopting evidence-based interventions, promoting rights-based and inclusive programming, and employing adaptive management strategies.”

Engr Ahmed Garba Yandi, Zamfara’s Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, expressed hope for the new program, describing it as “a historic feat” that would offer significant support to communities impacted by flooding.

Hon. Aminu Gidado, representing the Speaker of the Sokoto State Assembly, while highlighting the state’s commitment to managing flood crises, said: “Sokoto’s dedication to responding to disasters has been commendable.”