From 17th to 19th June 2025, a three-day Pilot Anticipatory Action Simulation Exercise, code named “Amballiya”, was conducted in Kwatan, Numan LGA, Adamawa State. The initiative was organized by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria’s lead disaster management agency, with the support of the Office of the Vice President, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, and technical backing from NiMET, NIHSA, and NARSDA. The exercise was co-sponsored by key development partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
The first day began with a stakeholders’ meeting to review available resources, followed by discussions on exercise planning and preparations. The team also conducted a reconnaissance visit to Kwatan, an hour’s drive from Jimeta, to confirm the site and assess its suitability.
On the second day, activities started with a review of the first day’s proceedings, followed by a field exercise. The day featured a presentation by the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF/NARSDA) highlighting the role of anticipatory action in mitigating flood disaster impacts. NEMA delivered a second paper focusing on safety concerns during flood search and rescue and evacuation, followed by a planning discussion.
The final day commenced with a pre-exercise briefing conducted by AATF’s focal person in NEMA, Fred Anusim, FSI. He emphasized safety protocols and the dos and don’ts of the simulation. At the Kwatan site, the AATF team was welcomed by the Numan LGA Chairman, followed by formalities before the simulation began at 11:00 am and lasted for approximately two hours and twenty minutes.
After the exercise, all stakeholders reconvened at the UN Hub for a “hot wash” review and critique of the simulation by umpires and observers. The three-day event concluded at 4:30 pm, setting the stage for improved flood disaster preparedness and anticipatory action in Adamawa State.
(Please find attached the video clip of the SIMEX conducted at Kwatan Numan, Adamawa State.)
