By Rahila Lassa and Tanimu Hassan
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has initiated a comprehensive two-day workshop aimed at bolstering disaster risk reduction capabilities and fostering resilience in Nigeria and the Sahel Region. The event, held in the nation’s capital, Abuja, brings together stakeholders from seven countries, namely Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal, to collaborate on the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2030 and Action Plan 2024-2027 for Nigeria.
Mustapha Ahmed, the Director General of NEMA, underscored the significance of unified action with multiple development stakeholders under the Sahel Resilience Project, emphasizing the collective need to enhance resilience given the transboundary nature of disaster occurrences within the region.
“Today’s event gains even greater importance considering the heightened vulnerability and fragility of the countries encompassed by the Sahel Resilience Project in Africa South of the Sahara.”
“The elevated vulnerability of these nations is attributed to fragile economies, environmental degradation, extreme weather conditions, low-income levels, and insecurity due to terrorism and political instability.”
Rashmi Theckethil, Project Manager of the Sahel Resilience Project, reiterated the United Nations Development Programme’s commitment to ensuring the project attains its objectives. The new disaster risk reduction strategy for Nigeria is expected to prioritize understanding disaster risk, fortifying governance, investing in resilience, and enhancing preparedness.
Furthermore, Ademuyiwa Oyewumi, the Head of Hazard and Disaster Management at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDA), representing the Director General, emphasized NASDA’s essential role in effective disaster risk reduction programs and the formulation of a comprehensive strategy.
“The presence of NASDA, alongside all stakeholders, underscores our collective dedication to bolstering the resilience of the project.”
The primary objective of the workshop is to develop a disaster reduction strategy for 2024-2030 and an action plan for 2024-2027 in Nigeria and the Sahel Region.
