Christian Aid and SEMA bring flood awareness campaign to Kaduna communities

Christian Aid, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), has undertaken a flood awareness campaign among vulnerable communities in Kaduna State as part of efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and reduce the impact of floods during the 2026 rainy season.

The awareness exercise, conducted under Christian Aid’s Enhancing Preparedness and Response (E-PREP) project, reached Kigo Road and Rafin Guza communities in Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA), as well as Karatudu and Nasarawa communities in Chikun LGA.

The campaign focused on educating residents about flood risks, early warning systems and practical safety measures to minimize the impact of flooding.

Speaking during the exercise, Christian Aid’s E-PREP project representative, Michael Odache Aboh, said the initiative was designed to strengthen community resilience by providing residents with the knowledge needed to prepare for and respond to flood emergencies.

It noted that the selected communities remain highly vulnerable due to their proximity to blocked waterways and drainage channels, which often result in flash flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.

According to him, despite repeated interventions by the government and humanitarian organizations, many residents continue to live in flood-prone areas due to emotional attachment to ancestral homes and concerns about the safety of their properties.

“It is unfortunate that no matter what is done, many people still choose to stay in these flood-prone communities. Some say these places are their ancestral homes, while others fear that if they leave, their belongings could be stolen.

“If they are to stay, it is important that they understand flood forecasts, early warning information and safety measures they should take whenever a flood occurs,” Aboh said.

He called on the government to strengthen preventive measures by stopping the allocation of land along river banks and other flood-prone places, while supporting the dredging of rivers to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding.

Aboh also stressed the need for continuous public enlightenment, urging residents to pay attention to weather forecasts and flood warnings issued by relevant authorities, stressing that climate change has made floods more frequent and severe.

Furthermore, Kaduns SEMA Central Coordinator Mohammed Shafi Hassan urged residents living along waterways to relocate to safer areas before the waters inundate their homes.

“The rainy season has begun and we are advising those living along waterways to move to safer areas before the flood comes and submerges their homes,” he said.

Hassan said that while no formal temporary shelters have yet been established, residents in high-risk locations should temporarily relocate to safer communities or stay with relatives while the government continues to develop long-term arrangements.

The flood awareness campaign is part of ongoing efforts by Christian Aid, SEMA and UNICEF to strengthen disaster preparedness, promote community resilience and reduce the impact of floods in vulnerable communities across Kaduna State.