NEMA launches 2025 flood preparedness and response campaign in Taraba
By Martins Abochol
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched the 2025 National preparedness and response campaign on flood disaster and related hazards in Taraba State.
Launching the campaign in Jalingo with the theme “Strengthening Community Resilience for Flood Risk Reduction in Nigeria”, Hajia Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA said that the initiative focused on proactive community-based disaster risk reduction.
Represented by Mr Abbani Garki, Deputy Director Relief and Rehabilitation, at a stakeholders engagement, identified early warning systems for early action as well as coordinated emergency responses.
She recalled the rainfall and flood forecasts contained in the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) and the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) by the Nigerian Meteorology Agency (NIMET) and the Nigeria Hydrological Service Agency (NIHSA) respectively.
She said that the agencies had provided NEMA with valuable insights into rainfall pattern and flood scenarios during the year.
The director general said that the agency had in view of the reports, developed the 2025 Climate Related Risk Management Implication, Preparedness and Mitigation Actions.
According to her, this will serve as a guide to reduce the impacts of floods during the year.
Umar said NEMA has also developed disaster mitigation strategies which include capacity building of local emergency responders and simulation exercises.
Others, she said were rain water harvesting, adherence to predicted rainfall onset before planting by farmers, irrigation as alternative source for agriculture among many others.
She called on stakeholders and communities to remain vigilant and actively participate in local preparedness efforts as the 2025 rainy season unfolded.
In her remark, Dr Echuse Audu, Executive Secretary, Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) described the stakeholders meeting as key strategy in collaboration towards response to the flood disaster.
Audu, who identified logistic challenge as problem facing quick response to disasters, said Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba was providing the agency with needed funds in responding to disasters.
According to her, the governor is passionate whenever it comes to saving of lives.
Key participants at the meeting included representatives from federal and state agencies, security outfits, humanitarian organisations.
