By Ramatu Garba
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are to develop a national disaster risk reduction strategy and action plan to mitigate disasters.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mr Mustapha Habib-Ahmed, made this known at the opening of a two-day workshop on disaster risk reduction strategic action plan 2023-2030 for Nigeria on Monday in Kano.
Habib-Ahmed, represented by NEMA’s Director of Disaster Risk Reduction, Dr Daniel Obot, said that the need to develop the plan arose from the assessment findings conducted by the overseas development institute.
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He said the unprecedented recurring boat mishap, building collapse, urban market fires and hydro-metrological hazards which have become dominant in Nigeria’s disaster risk profile compelled them to develop the management plan.
“Management of disaster risks is anchored in Preparedness, Mitigation, Risk Reduction and Adaptation,” he said.
The workshop is themed: “Strengthening Capacities for Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation for Resilience in the Sahel Region: Fostering Risk-informed Solutions for Sustainable Development’’.
He said: “the project is also within the context of multi-partnership implementation led by the UNDP in partnership with the African Union Commission (AUC) and other regional organizations.
“For us in Nigeria, the Sahel Resilience Project is expected to support the renewed hope agenda of the Federal Government especially in the areas of poverty eradication, food security and inclusivity,” Habib-Ahmed said.
Also speaking, Mr. Sunday Amama, representative of UNDP for Sahel Resilience Project Nigeria, described the workshop as apt as communities are being impacted by environmental and health hazards.
He said disaster risk management at all levels was key to building the resilience of communities and economies.
“As a signatory to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Nigeria has been working diligently towards achieving its targets.
“Our collaboration with NEMA is to develop a new DRR strategy for Nigeria aligned with the African Union’s Programme and efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness response capabilities in West Africa and Sahel region to create a resilient,” he said.
He explained that there is a need for organizational culture change, political commitment, motivation and financial backing, as well as to protect the population against current and future disaster risks.
“The new disaster risk reduction strategy will promote policy coherence related to sustainable development, poverty eradication and climate change, aligning with sustainable development goals,” Amama said.
Also speaking, Dr. Nuradden Abdullahi, NEMA Territorial Coordinator, Kano Office, said the workshop would have a positive impact on developing plans.
(NAN)