By MUHAMMAD DANBABA
NEMA Deploys Emergency Response Team to Kogi State Amid Severe Flooding
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has dispatched its emergency response team to Kogi State in response to the severe flooding that has impacted numerous communities across the region. This proactive measure is aimed at monitoring the flood situation and providing essential support to affected areas.
Specialized Team for Search and Rescue Operations
According to a statement released by NEMA on Wednesday, the emergency response team consists of staff members trained in search and rescue operations. Their role will be to offer technical support to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency and other stakeholders involved in rescue, evacuation, and assessment efforts in the flooded communities.
Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, announced that the agency has also deployed mobile water purification equipment to ensure that affected families have access to emergency clean water during this crisis.
Preparedness Measures Ahead of Flood Risks
NEMA recently issued alerts to states identified as being at risk of flooding, emphasizing the importance of preparedness for potential incidents. In response to the alert, Umar announced the activation of all zonal, territorial, and operations offices, along with the prepositioning of critical equipment for timely responses, including search and rescue efforts and the evacuation of individuals to safer areas.
The frontline states identified as particularly vulnerable to flooding include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Kwara.
Coordination with Local and National Agencies
With this deployment, NEMA offices across the nation will collaborate with relevant state ministries, departments, and agencies to establish Emergency Operation Centres. These centres will facilitate the coordination and activation of local actors in the emergency response. Efforts will include advocacy to at-risk communities, evacuation planning, and the identification of safe high-ground areas for temporary shelters.
NEMA is also working closely with the Military Disaster Response Units, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to mobilize their disaster response personnel and resources where needed. The Nigerian Red Cross Society has been instructed to activate its volunteers to assist in the response efforts.
Urgent Advisory for Residents in Flood-Prone Areas
The Director-General of NEMA has urged residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those near the Rivers Benue and Niger, to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency service providers as the situation is continuously monitored.
As of now, over 200 communities in Kogi State have been submerged, displacing nearly two million people due to the flooding disaster. Affected local government areas include Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji.
Nationwide Impact of Flooding in 2024
Data from NEMA indicates that, as of October 14, 2024, flooding has affected 33 states across 208 local government areas in Nigeria this year. The statistics reveal that 317 lives have been lost, with over 1.2 million individuals affected and more than 713,000 displaced. Furthermore, 117,071 houses have been damaged, and 180,828 hectares of cultivated farmland have been impacted by the floods nationwide.
NEMA’s ongoing efforts to address the flooding crisis underscore the agency’s commitment to disaster management and support for affected communities across Nigeria.
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