The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Red Cross Society have stepped up efforts to strengthen flood preparedness and anticipatory action in Edo State ahead of anticipated flooding in vulnerable communities.
The commitment was reaffirmed during a coordination meeting on the Anticipatory Imminent Flooding Project organised by the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Benin City on August 12.
Speaking at the meeting, the Branch Secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society said Edo State was among the states selected for the implementation of the month-long project aimed at strengthening preparedness, promoting early action and reducing the impact of flooding on vulnerable communities.
He said the project would focus on selected communities in Ikpoba-Okha and Ovia North-East Local Government Areas, where targeted sensitisation activities would be carried out to improve public awareness, preparedness and early response to flood risks.
“Edo State is among the states selected for implementation of the month-long project, which seeks to strengthen preparedness, promote early action and reduce the potential impact of flooding on vulnerable communities,” he said.
The Red Cross official noted that early preparedness remains one of the most effective ways to reduce the humanitarian impact of flooding, stressing the need for collaboration among relevant stakeholders.
He called for active participation by emergency management agencies and partners, stating that “coordinated early action remains critical to protecting vulnerable communities from the consequences of flooding.”
In his goodwill message, the Head of NEMA Benin Operations Office assured the Red Cross of the agency’s commitment to the successful implementation of the project.
According to him, NEMA is prepared to provide operational support and resources needed to enhance anticipatory response efforts across the affected communities.
“NEMA will make relevant operational assets available where necessary to support the anticipatory response,” he said.
He further disclosed that the agency was ready to deploy its Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulance to provide emergency medical support in the event of any emergency during the implementation of the project.
“NEMA is prepared to deploy its Mobile Intensive Care Unit ambulance to provide emergency medical support should any emergency arise during the implementation of the anticipatory flooding activities,” he added.
The NEMA official emphasized the importance of collaboration among government institutions, humanitarian organisations, security agencies and local communities in addressing flood risks.
“Effective anticipatory action requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, humanitarian organisations, security agencies, local authorities and communities,” he said.
He also reiterated the agency’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency coordination, early warning systems, preparedness and timely emergency response to mitigate the impact of disasters.
The meeting brought together representatives of the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (EdoSEMA), the 322 Artillery Regiment Disaster Response Unit, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), faith-based organisations, civil society organisations and representatives of the affected local government areas.
Participants reaffirmed the importance of coordinated early action, community engagement and preparedness in reducing flood risks and ensuring timely intervention ahead of anticipated flooding in the state.