NEMA seeks cooperation in disaster mgt

Muhammad Sani-Sidi, the director-general, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has advised countries in West Africa sub-region to strengthen their coordination and cooperation with one another in risk evaluation, mitigation and response to disasters.

Sani-Sidi made the call at a workshop organised by Journalists Against Disaster (JAD) in Abuja. The theme of the workshop was “The Intervention of NEMA in Disaster Management in Nigeria’’.

Represented by Alhassan Nuhu, director of risk reduction, Sani-Sidi observed that most of the disasters occurring in West Africa were trans-border in nature and could be addressed through effective cooperation.

According to him, the current insurgency, perennial flooding, drought, communal clashes and conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, among others, had increased displacement of persons and called for international cooperation.

He attributed the timely intervention of NEMA in the emergency situations across the country to efficient disaster management, emergency response, and mechanism to reduce disasters.

Sani-Sidi said the agency had not relented in its efforts to address the plight of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the country and Nigerian refugees in neighbouring Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.

“Since the inception of insurgency, the Federal Government, through NEMA, has been meeting the needs of IDPs ranging from temporary shelter, search and rescue, food and non-food items, security, and protection.

“The government, in partnership with relevant UN agencies, has ensured the provision of health facilities and drugs, basic education, water, sanitation and hygiene, and training of staff and partners in camp coordination and management.

“With 267 schools affected by insurgency, the Safe School Initiative provided for the transfer of 2,400 students from high risk areas in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa to federal unity colleges across the country,” he said.