To avoid the use of schools as temporary camps, the National Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with Imo and Delta states government have identified safer grounds for siting of official camps for persons that may be displaced by the 2013 flood predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NIMET.
The Director General, Muhammad Sani Sidi stated this at separate consultative fora with stakeholders in emergency management in Owerri, Imo and Asaba the Delta state capital, organized by the agency in collaboration with the various State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs)
He said that the purpose of the consultation was to acquaint the people with the preparations being made by the agency and also to interact with the stakeholders to review areas that need further collaboration. ‘’It is the responsibility of each of us to make sure we don’t have a repeat of last year’s flood’’ he told participants stakeholders.
Sani Sidi said that the agency has been involved in the training of volunteers in basic disaster management, advocacy, sensitization and awareness campaign in the various communities to avoid the repeat of what happened in 2012. He also urged the stakeholders to match the early warning campaign by early action.
He reiterated that the focus of the agency was to ensure that this year camps were provided outside school system to avoid disruption of school activities. He commended the activities of the both state governments for taking early action in preparation of the 2013 flood.
One of the IDP camps inspected in Asaba, Delta State was located in the state capital and can contain up 5000 persons. Another temporary camp site at Alaoma development center in Oguta LGA, Imo State was also visited.
Participants were drawn from various community leaders, officials of SEMAs, Red Cross, Civil defence, Faith Base Organisation, and NGOs.
Sani Datti
Snr. Information Officer
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