CURRENT HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY, A MAJOR CHALLENGE TO NEMA ... DG

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Press release

CURRENT HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN THE COUNTRY, A MAJOR CHALLENGE TO NEMA ... DG

The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Muhammad Sani Sidi , has said  that one of the major challenges the agency has been facing was  responding to the current humanitarian crisis resulting from insurgency in the North East and criminal activities in the  North west, particularly in  Zamfara State.

He disclosed this at the annual retreat organized for Members of the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness in Jos, Plateau State.
  
San Sidi  said “this year has been challenging just like last year, we have been occupied responding to the issues in  North east and North west, particularly Zamfara State’’.

He observed that Nigerian displacement was unique around the world, as only about 10% of the displaced persons   were living in official camps while  the majority of them were being hosted by relatives  and host communities.

He said “Insurgency is new to us as a people and as a country, managing its consequence will certainly be new to us, but we are learning and I want to assure you that we are learning fast as an agency and as a country”.

“I know that there is no way as an agency can perform effectively and efficiently without the support and collaboration of the distinguished Honourable Members. Therefore, this is a platform that enables us to enlighten and create awareness and to mention some of the challenges that we face and some of the good advices we can get from you,” he said.

The Chairman of the committee, represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Ali Isa (JC) in his remarks, said the retreat was an annual event where members are briefed by the Zonal Coordinators and head of operations offices on disaster and challenges around the country.

He said, “I strongly believe that with the little resources the agency receives, it has been very effective in handling most of emergency cases in the country”. He said the committee will look at the Act of the agency with a view to enhance and improve the functions of the agency.

Highlights of the event included presentations on: Emerging Issues and dynamics of Emergency Management in Multi-crises Environment: Option for the North East, by Mr. Soji Adeniyi, and the Imperative of Improved Legislative Framework for NEMA by the agency’s legal adviser.

The retreat is an annual event organised by the agency to enlighten the committee members on the activities of the   agency and challenges faced in the year under review.

Sani Datti

Head Media and Public relations

17^th December 2016

NEMA DELIVERS 1,460 BAGS OF FOOD ITEMS TO NIGERIAN REFUGEES IN THE REPUBLIC OF CAMEROUN

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Press release

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), at the weekend, delivered 1,460 bags of assorted food items on behalf of the Federal Government for the feeding of about 80,709 Nigerian refugees, mostly from Borno State, in the Republic of Cameroun. 

The Nigerians who were displaced by Boko Haram insurgents are taking shelter in Minawao and other locations in the far north region of Cameroun. 

The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi, who was represented by the Agency’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore SBB Muhammad, handed over the items to officials of Cameroun for onward presentation to the United Nations High Commission for Refugee (UNHCR) which has been managing the camp. He said the items were meant to provide succor to the Nigerian refugees.

In his message, the Director General said NEMA will continue to liaise with the Government of the Republic of Cameroun to ensure that all Nigeria refugees are living in good condition. He appealed to youths in the camps to desist from using drugs and urged them to always be of good character and be good ambassadors of our country. Some youths in the camp were recently arrested for drug use.

He assured the refugees that the Nigerian Government has not forgotten them and is doing everything possible to evacuate them back to their respective states.  He   thanked the Republic of Cameroun, INGOs and UNHCR on behalf of the Federal Government for hosting and providing them with protection.

Speaking through an interpreter, an official of the Government of Cameroun who received the items, Mrs Menguene Marie, appreciated the Nigerian government for providing succour to its citizens and also thanked the government of Cameroun for its support to the Nigerians.

Appreciating the efforts of the Nigerian Government, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Refugees, Mr. Asshigar Mohd from Bama local government said “We have been in Minawao camp for three years, we do have regular feeding,  have school and hospital, but we want leaders of our communities back home to visit us.” He appealed to the Nigerian Government to repatriate them  back to their places in Borno State since peace has returned in most of the communities.

The items delivered include 650 bags of rice, 300 bags of Guinea corn, 200 bags of Millet, 150 bags of Beans, 10 bags of Ground nut, 50 bags of flour, 50 bags of sugar and 50 bags of salt. Others include 100 cartons of tinned tomato, 50 cartons of Maggi Cubes, 150 cartons of spaghetti, 150 cartons of bath soap and 50 cartons of vegetable oil.

Sani Datti

Head Media and Public relations

4 ^th December 2016

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