The National Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme commenced a two-day workshop toward strengthening capacities for disaster risk reduction and adoption for resilience in Nigeria and Sahel Region, in Abuja the nation’s capital.
The two-day Stakeholders Consultation Workshop covers seven countries which include Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal of the Sahel region for the Development of Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy 2024-2030 and Action Plan 2024-2027 of Nigeria.
The Director General National Emergency Management Agency Mr, Mustapha Ahmed emphasised the need for collaborative effort with multiple development actors under the Sahel Resilience Project would help the countries of the region to collectively improve their resilience in consideration of the transboundary nature of disaster events.
“Today’s event becomes even more pertinent in consideration of the high level of vulnerability and fragility of countries covered by the Sahel Resilience Project within Africa South of the Sahara.”
“It is on record that the high-level vulnerability of these countries is driven by the fragile economy, environmental degradation, extreme weather conditions, low-level income and insecurity posed by terrorism and political volatility.”
While emphasising the commitment of the United Nations Development Programme in ensuring that the project has achieved the target goal Rashmi Theckethil, Project Manager of Sahel Resilience Project says the new disaster risk reduction strategy for Nigeria must address priorities such as understanding disaster risk, strengthening governance, investing in resilience and enhancing preparedness.
Also, the Director General National Space Research and Development Agency represented by the Head of Hazard and Disaster Management Mr, Ademuyiwa Oyewumi reiterated that NASDA fostering effective disaster risk reduction programmers is crucial in the face of challenges, and the development of a comprehensive strategy.
“The presence of NASDA as well as everyone here underscores the collective commitment in fostering the resilience of the project.”
The Workshop is aimed at developing of disaster reduction strategy for 2024-2030 and an action plan for 2024-2027 in Nigeria and the Sahel Region.
Dominica Nwabufo
