The National Emergency Management Agency with technical support from the United Nations Children’s Fund is reviewing Nigeria’s hazard risk analysis to mitigate disasters in the country.

NEMA Director General, Zubaida Umar, disclosed this at the official opening of a three-day hazard risk analysis workshop on Wednesday in Jos, Plateau State.

Mr Umar said that the exercise was to ensure effective preparedness and mitigation of various hazards and risks.

The director general stated that hazard risk analysis was a vital prerequisite for the development and review of a national contingency plan and other related documents for disaster preparedness.

Represented by Fred Anusim, assistant director, planning research and forecasting, NEMA headquarters, Mr Umar said that risk analysis is reviewed periodically to be in tune with the present reality of hazards spreading in Nigeria.

Mr Umar emphasised that preparedness was a vital component of disaster management and needed to be given adequate attention to ensure a timely, effective, and efficient response.

He stated, “Therefore, the agency, with the technical support of UNICEF, has deemed it fit to invite critical stakeholders to this forum to deliberate on how to identify, review, and update the impending risks we are currently facing in Nigeria. This hazard risk analysis, data gathering, and mapping initiative being carried out in the next three days will improve knowledge of the risk terrain in Nigeria and support risk-informed programming.

“It will also support the assessment of potential hazards, evaluate vulnerabilities, and inform strategies to mitigate risks and enhance community resilience. At the end of this exercise, it is expected that the baseline for developing mitigation strategies like early warning systems and community-based preparedness will be provided. It is aimed at creating awareness of potential hazards to enhance public readiness.’’

The Executive Secretary, Plateau State Emergency Management Agency, Sunday Abdu, said that the workshop was a crucial step towards enhancing the understanding of risk analysis and its application in Nigeria, especially at this crucial time when all hands must be on deck.

Mr Abdu said the exercise would enable relevant agencies to better identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks, ultimately contributing to the well-being and prosperity of our
nation.

The executive secretary appreciated NEMA for always pointing the way forward and UNICEF for remaining a reliable partner.

He urged the participants to work collaboratively, share ideas, and learn from each other.

Emergency Specialist at UNICEF, Olayinka Afolabi, revealed that since 2021, UNICEF had been providing technical support to the NEMA in data collection and analysis of hazard risks across Nigeria.

Mr Afolabi stated that the collaborative effort aims to bolster the country’s preparedness and response capabilities in times of crisis.

The emergency specialist said that the initiative had yielded valuable baseline information that serves as a crucial foundation for preparedness and humanitarian action.

“Additionally, the data collected has become a key reference point for government entities and development partners, offering a comprehensive view of the risk landscape in Nigeria. UNICEF is set to further support NEMA in assessing and documenting changes to the risk profile in the country.

“This ongoing partnership, which will involve validation across the six geopolitical zones, is expected to enhance NEMA’s capacity to coordinate disaster management activities effectively.

“It will reposition them as a central hub for information dissemination that will inform and strengthen response interventions nationwide.

“Through these collaborative efforts, UNICEF and NEMA are working together to ensure that Nigeria is better equipped to respond to emergencies and safeguard the well-being of its citizens,” he added.

NEMA North Central zonal coordinator, Eugene Nyelong, said in his remarks that the workshop would generate new ways of tackling disasters in the country.

Mr Nyelong lauded the NEMA DG for the initiative, saying that the review would improve knowledge of the risk patterns and terrain in Nigeria.

The coordinator added that it would help achieve coordinated planning through consensus building, mobilisation of resources, and information sharing among stakeholders. 

 (NAN)