1.0 Introduction:
The Department is essentially concerned with post humanitarian relief interventions, rehabilitation of human/vulnerable groups affected by disasters be it natural, human induced or technological. This is to enable affected victims overcome the stress, traumas and enhance their recovery.
2.0 The Department is headed by a Director who is responsible to the Director-General on the day-to-day administration of the department. The Units’ Heads report to the Director. The department comprises 19 staff at the headquarters and 13 at the zonal offices, making 32 in total.
3.0 Structure of the Department
The Department is made up of three Divisions, namely:
(i) Relief Division;
(ii) Rehabilitation Division;
(iii) Vulnerable Group Care Unit
4.0 Functions of the Department:
Major functions/responsibilities of the Department are therefore derived as follows:
(a) Consideration of assessment reports on natural and man-made disasters from zonal offices;
(b) Assessment of both natural and man-made disasters;
(c) Rehabilitation of victims of disasters/internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable communities in collaboration with other relevant Federal, States and Departments;
(d) Reception and Rehabilitation of Nigerian returnees from foreign countries;
(a) Provision of relief assistance to friendly African and other foreign countries ravaged by natural and man-made disasters;
(b) Propagation of information on relief distribution and rehabilitation programmes nationwide;
(c) Other ad-hoc duties that can enhance relief distribution and rehabilitation of disaster victims and communities.
1.0 Major Activities:
5.1 Relief Interventions:
The primary objective of the department is to coordinate the Agency’s provision of immediate and timely succor to disaster victims. This involves providing relief materials, establishing camps (where necessary) for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and ensuring proper and efficient management of the camps. As at the end of second quarters of 2011, the number of displaced persons stood at about 157,972, the death toll reaching up to 115, buildings damaged put at 4,674 while properties destruction in monetary equivalent is worth billions of Naira.
5.2 Strategies for Relief Interventions
This involves conducting situation Assessment (damage and needs) assessment by NEMA Officials. Situation assessment is a description of what has happened while needs assessment is the determination of those things that need to be done.
5.3 Assessment
This involves damage and need assessment, particularly to determine appropriate relief assistance victims, and rehabilitation schemes suitable for the area, to enhance resilience and adaptation capacity of the communities affected by disasters.
5.4 Direct Distribution of Relief Materials
NEMA networks with other stakeholders to undertake hitch free direct distribution of humanitarian relief materials to the affected persons. Such stakeholders are:
– State Emergency Management Agencies
– Red Cross Society
– Some NGO & CBOs
– Affected Local Government Officials
– Opinion Leaders/Traditional Rulers of the affected community
– Nigerian Security & Civil Defense Corps
– Police
