The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has officially launched the 2026 flood preparedness and response campaign for the South-South geopolitical zone, aiming to reduce the effects of the rainy season on Nigeria's coastal communities.
Campaign Launch in Calabar
The initiative was flagged off in Calabar, Cross River State, by NEMA Director General Zubaida Umar, who emphasized the need for early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods as rainfall intensity increases.
According to a statement by the agency's national spokesman, Manzo Ezekiel, Umar highlighted that the South-South region is particularly vulnerable to disasters due to its coastal location, overflowing river systems, and the worsening impact of climate change.
She noted that these factors often lead to the destruction of farmlands and large-scale displacement of residents. The Director-General stressed the urgent need for proactive measures to prevent, mitigate, and respond effectively to anticipated flooding across at-risk communities.
Key Interventions in the Framework
As part of NEMA's strategy, the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework was developed as a structured guide containing several key interventions. These include capacity building for local first responders, execution of simulation and tabletop exercises, production of vulnerability maps to guide state and local governments, and regular clearing of drainage channels and waterways.
Umar urged traditional institutions, religious organizations, and the media to support the agency in amplifying early warning messages, insisting that disaster management is everyone's business.
Deployment of Technical Teams
She further disclosed that NEMA would deploy technical teams to each state of the federation for direct community outreach, working alongside State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and local volunteers. She expressed optimism that these efforts would safeguard livelihoods and align with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
Umar tasked state governments to intensify proactive measures for efficient flood management.
Governor's Response
In response, Cross River State Governor Senator Bassey Otu commended NEMA's proactive approach in seeking lasting solutions to the state's recurrent flooding issues. He assured the agency of the state government's continued commitment to strengthening disaster response mechanisms through collaborative efforts.
