PAGE 28
PEOPLES DAILY, THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2013
EMERGENCY UPDATE Still on the 2013 flood prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response workshop By Sanya Adejokun
A
lthough humans can do little or nothing to change the incidence or intensity of most natural hazards, they have an important role to play in ensuring that natural events are not converted into disasters by their own actions. It is important to understand that human intervention can increase the frequency and severity of natural hazards. Casualty statistics from annual incidences of flooding since 2010 in Nigeria has been on the increase. In 2010, flooding displaced more than two million people. In 2011, about 102 persons were believed to have died from flooding in various parts of the country. In 2012, figures from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) showed that seven million, seven hundred and five thousand, three hundred and ninety eight persons were affected by the flood between July 1, 2012 and October 31, 2012. Of the affected population, two million, one hundred and fifty seven thousand, four hundred and nineteen internally displaced persons (IDPs) were registered across the affected states. In addition, 363 deaths were recorded, while eighteen thousand, two hundred and eighty two people were treated for injuries they did sustained during the flooding. The report added that Adamawa and Kogi states recorded top digits of sufferers. Two hundred and fifty six local government councils throughout the federation were adversely affected. Just as it did in 2012, the Nigeria Meteorological (NIMET) Agency has warned that more rainfall, which might eventually lead to more floods, should be expected in some parts of the country this year. The Agency identified Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara and other neighbouring states as top on priority list, adding that there will be lower amount of rainfall especially for the Southwest compared to the devastating flood of 2012. "The summary is that based on the conditions that are prevalent at the time of making the prediction, we are predicting that the rainfall pattern in 2013 will not be different, very different or significantly different from what we saw in 2012. However, some areas especially in the western flank of the country covering Sokoto State, Kebbi State, parts of Kwara State and parts of Niger State are likely to have higher rainfall than last year. We have some other areas, particularly from western part of the country may witness slightly lower amount of rainfall." Interpreting the implication of the predictions, NEMA's
Hon. Abegunde Ifedayo, Muhammad Sani-Sidi and Senator Clever Ikisikpo at the National Consultative Workshop on 2013 Flood Prevention Director General, Alhaji Mohammed Sani-Sidi said the North-west and other parts of the country would witness huge rainfall that might result in bumper agricultural yield but that some dams might overflow, leading to loss of lives and means of livelihood. He warned that slippery roads, runways and poor visibility during the rainfall might cause road and air accidents, while excessive rains could wash away earth roads, houses, farmlands and other infrastructure. He then urged government at all levels to make adequate provision for medicines and vaccines, while proper refuse disposal mechanism and clean-up of drainages and reservoirs should be carried out regularly. Alhaji Sani-Sidi called for the provision of navigational aids at airports, while storms barriers and end dykes should be erected along riverbanks and coastal areas. He also emphasised the need for states and local governments to improve their capabilities to manage disaster by setting up and equipping their disaster management bodies. Regrettably he noted, only224 out of 774 local governments in the country have functional emergency management committees. Between March 26 and 27,
2013, stakeholders gathered at the Rockview Hotel, Abuja to brainstorm on how to avoid another catastrophe like that witnessed during the rainy season of 2012. Participants at the workshop organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were drawn from relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs),state emergency management agencies (SEMAs), the UN System, international organisations, Red Cross, university Centres for Disaster Risk Management & Development Studies (CDRM&DS), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), CBOs and the media. The workshop focused on the lessons learnt from the 2012 flood disaster in Nigeria, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) 2013 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP), strategies for prevention, mitigation and preparedness and dissemination of early warning messages to the stakeholders including the vulnerable communities. The workshop was chaired by the Minister of Environment, Hajiya Hadiza Mailafia and declared open by Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, the Governor of Delta State who was special guest of honour. NEMA Director-
General Muhammad Sani Sidi delivered the keynote address with goodwill messages delivered by Chairman, Senate Committee on Special Duties, Senator Clever Ikisikpo, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Disaster Abegunde Ifedayo, Director General, National Environmental Standard Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA)Dr. Mrs Ngeri Benebo, representative of the UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Choice Okoro-Oloyede, and Secretary General, Nigerian Red Cross Society Alhaji Bello Hamman Diram. After extensive deliberations on the papers presented and the syndicate group work, the participants observed that when considered in relation to the 2012 flood disaster in the country: NEMA and stakeholders had developed plans, policies and guidelines for emergency preparedness and response for the country. Concerning that, documents such as the National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP); Search and Rescue and Epidemic Evacuation Plan for Nigeria (SAREEP); National Disaster Management Framework (NDMF); National Contingency Plan (NCP); Lake Nyos Disaster Response Manual and, MultiDisciplinary Epidemic Early
The summary is that based on the conditions that are prevalent at the time of making the prediction, we are predicting that the rainfall pattern in 2013 will not be different, very different or significantly different from what we saw in 2012. However, some areas especially in the western flank of the country covering Sokoto State, Kebbi State, parts of Kwara State and parts of Niger State are likely to have higher rainfall than last year. We have some other areas, particularly from western part of the country may witness slightly lower amount of rainfall
Warning System have all been published to serve as workbook. Also, NEMA activated the National Contingency Plan and facilitated weekly National Humanitarian Forum to strengthen effective coordination of disaster management mechanisms and information sharing respectively. However, vertical coordination in some States and Local Governments was weak. Notwithstanding, participants observed the need to strengthen States Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs). While some States do not have functional and well-funded SEMAs, others do not have SEMAs backed by law that can effectively embark on emergency preparedness and respond to disasters. Also concerning the 2012 incidence, relief materials were concentrated in urban camps in some states while stakeholders at state and local levels did not respond promptly to the needs of the displaced population. In addition, community members were not involved in rescue efforts before, during and after the disaster in yet other states while funds were not prioritized at the state levels to respond to sectorial needs. These were in addition to the fact that some of the affected communities did not benefit sufficiently from the relief materials distributed during the 2012 flood disaster. While stressing the importance of the media in emergency management, the workshop commended NEMA's information management technique during the 2012 disaster but lamented that the international media coverage of the event was inadequate and so, limited the level of response by the global community. Participants also noted that media practitioners were not adequately involved in sensitisation efforts, while baseline data from different sectors were inadequate. After the exhaustive review of the 2012 disaster situation, participants at the two-day workshop then issued a 16-point recommendation as a way to ensure effective management of such disasters in future. The recommendations include: NEMA is to strengthen its coordination role at all levels and improve its capacity in humanitarian response, partnership, advocacy and information management. That NEMA in collaboration with stakeholders should review the National Contingency Plan (NCP) while Response Strategies should be developed and used by NEMA, SEMAs, LEMCs and Humanitarian community to ensure adequate preparedness and response. It also said: "NEMA and Cont’d on page 29