Nigeria Embraces Preventive Disaster Management, NEMA

Happy Democracy day

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Press statement

Nigeria Embraces Preventive Disaster Management, NEMA 

For sustainable proactive disaster management, Nigeria has adopted the implementation of measures aimed at increasing capacity of its citizens to promote risk reduction and reduce their vulnerabilities, Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has said.

Addressing the 2017 General Session of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Cancun, Mexico at the weekend, he said support from the political leadership has enabled a giant strides towards ensuring appropriate actions on reducing risks, disaster preparedness, mitigation and recovery in the country.

He said the Federal Government has empowered and equipped NEMA"to comprehensively manage disasters in Nigeria, with a fully functional Department of Disaster Risk Reduction" already created in the agency.

In furtherance to this, he said the agency has continued to engage and champion Disaster Risk Reduction activities both at National and International level. Some of these, according to him include the hosting of the Fifth Africa’s Regional Platform in Abuja, National Sensitization Workshop on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, produced and validated a plan of action for the implementation of the Sendai Framework, established and set up machinery to further strengthen the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and development of a draft National Policy on Disaster Risk Reduction.

Maihaja, said the measures adopted by the government through NEMA would also help to address some of the internal challenges due to "climatic changes that have negatively affected our socio-economic activities leading to low productivity, low economic growth, social conflicts, diseases, human migrations, cross border conflicts and rise in crime rate, among others."

He also identified the problem of insurgency as one of the major challenges that the government has been confronting, noting that "our nation is currently emerging from the effects of her worst humanitarian challenges, - The Boko haram insurgency, an unwarranted conflict that has brought untold hardship and monumental losses, resulting in high number of displaced persons, some have even been forced to take refuge in neighboring countries. "The Recovery process is daunting and we continue to solicit for support."  "Most recently we have also had to face the challenge of responding to the human losses due to Meningitis."

While also noting the trans-boundary nature of the conflicts and disasters, Maihaja solicited "a united front to fight our common enemies including terrorism, climate change and conflicts."

Sani Datti
Head Media and Public relations
29th May 2017

NEMA Adopts Cash Transfer Programme In Relief Response

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGECY

Press release

NEMA Adopts Cash Transfer Programme In Relief Response

In an effort to reposition relief response and ensure transparency in line with emerging global best practices, the National Emergency Management Agency is to expand the scope of relief intervention by adopting the Cash Transfer Tool as one of the strategic ways of reaching out to affected persons in the country.

The Director General of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja disclosed this at the occasion of Cash Transfer Preparedness Programme organized for staffs of the agency and Nigerian Red Cross by the International Committee for Red Cross (ICRC) in Abuja at the weekend.

Represented by the Director Relief and Rehabilitation, Kayode Fagbemi, the DG said, “I have no doubt that this Cash Transfer Preparedness Programme is important considering the complex nature of relief management. This I belief, will surely lead to a paradigm shift in the management of relief operations in Nigeria in order to give dignity to the displaced population, especially in the North east”.

He said humanitarian scenario in Nigeria had become complex as result of different emergencies being witnessed in recent years. He solicited the support of ICRC in the development of guidelines for Cash Transfer Programming in the country.

Speaking, leader of delegation from ICRC Mr. Eloi Fillion said the transfer of knowledge to NEMA would ensure sustainability, as ICRC might not be everywhere to provide assistance.  

The training covered thematic areas of Ascertaining Pre-conditions for Cash Transfer, Modalities of Cash Transfer, Mechanisms, Types of Response of Options, Implementation process as well as Practical scenario.

Cash Transfer Programme is a tool for cash transfer to support population affected by disaster to meet multiple needs in ways that maintain human dignity, provides access to food and shelter and help rebuild or protect livelihoods.

Sani Datti

Head Media and Public relations

28th May 2017

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Press release

ZAMBIAN HIGH COMMISSSIONER SEEKS COLLABORATION WITH NEMA

The High Commissioner of Zambia to Nigeria Dr. Solomon Jere has requested the collaboration of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) with his country in the area of disaster management.

The High Commissioner who made the request in Abuja during a visit to the Director General of NEMA Engr Mustapha Maihaja said he was impressed by the outstanding performance of NEMA in the discharge of its mandates; therefore desire the collaboration to mutually benefit the two countries.

He said, "Your Agency is well organized. In Zambia we also have a department for the management of disasters under the office of the Vice President. But I am here to seek a collaboration that would be beneficial to both countries."

The High Commissioner who went down the memory lane in appraising the major roles played by Nigeria in support of the struggle for independence of many African countries, noted that it was still being held in high esteem and being looked up for supports when any need arises such as in the areas of disaster management.

He explained that the desire for the collaboration with NEMA had been necessitated by his believe that "it is always better to prepare ahead."

In furtherance to the request, he said,  "we have created a space for Nigeria in Zambia and I am inviting your high level visit to build up the friendship." He also added that the High Commission had opened a channel of communication with NEMA on disaster management.

Responding, the Director General of NEMA Engr. Maihaja appreciated the desire for the collaboration but said the proper process would be followed towards the relationship.  In actualization of the request, he said the agency and the High Commission would work out the appropriate modality for the collaboration.


Sani Datti
Head  Media and Public relations
24 May 2017

WE WILL ADHERE TO OUR MANDATE IN RESPONDING TO HUMANITARIAN NEEDS… new DG NEMA

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

Press release

WE WILL ADHERE TO OUR MANDATE IN RESPONDING TO HUMANITARIAN NEEDS… new DG NEMA

The Director General of National Emergency Management Agency, Engr. Mustapha Maihaja has said the agency would adhere to its mandate in responding to humanitarian needs in the country which is the coordination of disaster management including humanitarian crises.

He stated this at an interactive meeting with humanitarian stakeholders at the weekend in Maiduguri, Borno state.

He said “as you are all aware NEMA has a primary responsibility of responding to emergencies which often occur as result of natural and human induced disasters. It is also charged with the responsibility of coordinating humanitarian crisis in the country. North east, Borno State in particular, is worst affected by the serious and devastating crisis of Boko Haram insurgency”.

He promised that the NEMA would continue to provide all the necessary supports for the improvement and rehabilitation of displaced persons in the northeast in line with its responsibility for emergency response.

“We have just gathered information with regard to our short-comings and I intend to sit down with experts to look at them with the view to solve the problems; we will contact international organizations to convince them to see how they could increase their supports as well as advising Federal Government appropriately” ,the DG said.

United Nations’ Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator to Nigeria, Peter Lundberg told the DG that there were 75 partners working in the Northeast including UN organizations, International Non Governmental Organizations and Local NGOs.

Sani Datti

Head Media and relations

21^st May 2017

THREE SUICIDE BOMBERS DEAD, FOUR INJURE ...DG NEMA MEETS STAKEHOLDERS

Three male suicide bombers attempted to enter some locations in the University of Maiduguri at early hours of today, but the vigilant University’s Security and Vigilantes intercepted them.  Immediately they detonated their explosives strapped in them and that led to injure of the two University’s security and two vigilantes.

This happened when the new DG NEMA Engr. Mustapaha Maihaja in Maiduguri to meet directly with IDPs leaders and stakeholders to discuss ways forward in responding to humanitarian needs of the affected persons.

The remains of the three suicide bombers were evacuated to Specialists Hospital Maiduguri.

Sani Datti

Head Media and Public relations

19^th May 2017

NEMA PRESENTS RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO WINDSTORM VICTIMS IN KEBBI STATE

Press statement

NEMA PRESENTS RELIEF ASSISTANCE TO WINDSTORM VICTIMS IN KEBBI STATE

The National Emergency Management Agency has delivered relief assistance to over 1000 persons affected by windstorm disaster in Maiyama Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

Presenting the items to the State Governor, the Director General of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha
Yunusa Maihaja, commiserated with the state government and victims over the disaster which within a few minutes, affected over 869 houses and rendered many homeless. He assured them of the agency’s support to alleviate their suffering, adding that under his watch, victims of disasters will get assistance within 48 hours.

He said "Disasters are increasing in their frequency and magnitude and scientific evidence has shown that as a result of climate change, extreme weather events like flood , windstorm, drought and epidemics have become more frequent and severe. They may even occur in areas where they were previously unknown."

He stressed that there is therefore the need for emergency preparedness and early warning
mechanism at local levels, especially as disaster preparedness and mitigation are necessary for the sustainable growth of any society.

Receiving the items, the Governors, His Excellency Abubakar Atiku Bagudu  thanked the agency for the  relief assistance. He commended the agency for always collaborating with state emergency management agency. He  added that the state had of recent witnessed  various disaster ranging  from flood, windstorm to Boat mishaps.

Items presented include 200 bags of rice, 200 bags of maize and 200 bags of beans. Others
include 300 blankets, 300 mosquito nets, 300 pieces of ceiling board, 300 mattresses, 300 bagsof cement, 300 bundles of roofing sheets, 50 packets of zinc nails and 50 bags of 3 inch nails.

It would recall that,  last week in Maiyama LGA of Kebbi State  windstorm affected over 1000 persons,  destroyed  houses and demaged public infrastructures which includes schools and hospitals while about  37 persons were injured with 8 persons had fractures.

Sani Datti
Head Media and Public Relations
9th May 2017