Management of catastrophes: NEMA, UDP collaborates in the national strategy

General Manager National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Zubaida Umar said that the Agency is collaborating with the United Nations development program (UDP) to advance a proactive approach to the management of catastrophes in Nigeria.

This, Sadi, would have been done through the development of the national strategy for the reduction of the risk of catastrophes (DRR) (2025-2030) and its accompanying action plan (2025-2028).

A Tuesday declaration of the head of the NEMA Manzo Ezekiel unit mentioned Mrs. Umar how to speak to Abuja during the final validation seminar on the strategy and action plan, organized jointly by NEMA, African Union Commission (AUC) and Undp as part of the Resilienza Sahel project.

Represented by the director of the reduction of the risk of catastrophes, dr. Ishaya Chonoko, the head of the NEMA, said: “The national Drr strategy (2025-2030) and the action plan (2025-2028) provide a roadmap and residence in order to increase resilience. Nigeria development planning.”

He said that the success of the strategy will depend on inclusion, collaboration and shared property. He asked for the active involvement of government, community, private sector, academy, civil society and development partners.

In his observations, the permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Female Affairs, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshiro, praised Nema for the initiative and underlined the importance of guaranteeing gender inclusiveness and priority to the needs of women and children for effective results.

Speaking also, the resident representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, Mrs. Elsie Attrafuah, represented by Mrs. Ibironke Olubamise, described the strategy as “more than one document, but an action project”.

It underlined that, once validated, the strategy will institutionalize the multi-Hazard risk assessments in planning, strengthen early alarm systems based on impact, improve coordination between the institutions, will build the resilience of the community and will promote the inclusiveness, in particular for vulnerable groups.

The UDP recalled the devastating floods of 2022 and 2024, which have moved millions, as clear memories of the urgency of the proactive risk reduction.

He also revealed that the national database of loss of catastrophes and damage, developed under NEMA leadership, had recorded over 45,000 catastrophes accidents across the country, covering 23 priority risks, providing critical evidence to guide the planning of resilience.

The deputy director and head of the management of dangers and catastrophes at the National Space Research and Development Agency (Nasrda), Prince Ademuyiwa Oyewumi, promised the support of Nasrda, highlighting the vital role of science and technology in the preparation for catastrophes. He stressed that geospace data, satellite monitoring and early warning tools will be essential to strengthen governance and decision -making process pursuant to the new strategy.

The DRR national strategy and action plan represent a decisive change in the management framework of the catastrophes of Nigeria. Moving from a reactive culture of response to a focused on prevention, preparation and resilience, Nigeria is tracing a new course to safeguard life, protect the means of subsistence and guarantee a sustainable national development.