UNICEF, NEMA, NOA engage flood-prone communities in Niger

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) facilitators in Lavun and Edati local councils of Niger State, alongside the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and National Orientation Agency (NOA), have engaged flood-prone communities in the councils to understand their perspectives on emergency preparedness.

UNICEF facilitators in Lavun and Edati, Bashir Abdullahi and Mrs. Abiola Ogundare, over the weekend, educated religious leaders, women, youths, children and elderly in the communities on the need to prepare ahead of flood emergency.

The Guardian learnt that 400 meetings were simultaneously held with communities in 13 local councils, namely Edati, Lavun, Katcha, Agaie, Lapai, Gbako, Mokwa, Bosso, Shiroro, Rafi, Mashegu, Wushishi and Borgu.

According to the UNICEF facilitators, members of the communities were enlightened on the need for early preparation for possible relocation to safer and higher grounds, prepare for foods, clothing, shelter, healthcare, water and sanitation, security, continued education for the children, as well as protection for women, children, the aged and support for the most vulnerable in the event of flooding.

Abiola UNICEF explained that UNICEF and partners resolved to engage the flood-prone communities directly to prepare them ahead of natural disasters.

In their separate remarks, Turaki Muhammad of NEMA, and NOA desk officer, as well as volunteer, Samuel Yisa and Amina Abdullahi respectively, noted that the engagement with the people living along river banks yielded result, adding that it afforded UNICEF and partners the opportunity for on-the-spot feedback from the flood victims; hence, the need for routine sensitisation.

Spokesman for Batako community in Lavun, Mohammed Musa, and the village head of Lalo in Edati, Mohammed Ndazhitsu, said the engagement was first of its kind, pointing out that no authority had ever taken awareness to their doorsteps as such.

They, however, expressed displeasure that their communities had never been captured in the distribution of relief materials.

The community leaders lauded UNICEF, NOA and partners for their humanitarian gesture, assuring that they would embark on regular sensitisation in their communities to avert flood disaster.