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OPENING REMARK BY THE DIRECTOR GENERAL, NATIONAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NEMA) MUSTAPHA HABIB AHMED AT THE REPORT LAUNCH OF THE NIGERIA FLOOD IMPACT, RECOVERY AND MITIGATION ASSESSMENT SURVEY REPORT ON WEDNESDAY 29TH NOVEMEBER 2023 AT THE MAIN AUDITORIUM OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) HOUSE, ABUJA.

Protocol:

I am delighted fo welcome you to the launch of the Nigeria Flood Impact, Recovery, and _ Mitigation Assessment Survey Report. This gathering today is the culmination of our collaborative efforts in an attempt to address and mitigate the devastating impacts of flooding in Nigeria.

I am convinced that the level of destruction and damage including the number of deaths and persons inflicted with different degrees of injuries have led to the conduct of this assessment, the report of which will be launched today.

This report is the result of extensive research and collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP}, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report provides a comprehensive overview of the flood situation in Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Jigawa, Kogi and Nasarawa States which accounts for a significant proportion of the total population affected by the 2022 floods. The susceptibility to flooding by the affected areas as well as the households underscored the selection of the communities in these States.

The assessment survey highlights the immense challenges faced by affected communities such as household impact, coping mechanisms and recovery. The document provides evidence based support on recovery of affected households and communities as well as strategies for future flood risk mitigation, recovery and adaptation.

Nigeria has had its own fair share of flooding in the last decade and that has become an increasingly recurrent and destructive phenomenon. Its devastation and scope varies from year to year and lis impacts are seriously felt in terms of disruption to the functioning of society such as loss of lives and displacements, economic losses, destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods to mention but a few.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me at this point commend the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) towards the execution of the assessment. I also express my appreciation to the National Bureau of Statistics and my Agency, National Emergency Management Agency [NEMA) for driving the project on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN).

Today, we acknowledge the resilience and strength of the affected communities, who have faced these challenges direcily.

Policy makers, decision-makers, and stakeholders at alll levels can benefit greatly from this survey. It provides an insight to the socio-economic impact of flooding, identifies areas for intervention, and _ offers recommendations that address the diverse needs of affected communities and for long-term resilience building.

I expect that the findings and recommendations arising from this assessment survey should be shared with the affected State Governments for possible joint implementation. It is only through collaboration and collective action that we can successfully confront the diverse challenges posed by flooding.

Let us view this report launch as a call fo action. We should be committed to implementing _ its recommendations in an inclusive and efficient manner. Together, we can build a more resilient Nigeria, where the devastating effects of flooding are minimized and communities can thrive in safety and prosperity.

Once again, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have contributed to the production of this report. Your dedication and expertise have made this valuable resource document possible.

Thank you and God bless.

Abdulkadir Kezo Ibrahim IkonAllah

Assistant chief Information Officer New Media

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