By Yagana Ali
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has officially launched the 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards in Adamawa State.
The campaign, themed “Strengthening Community Resilience for Flood Risk Reduction in Nigeria”, is part of NEMA’s broader strategy to increase awareness, enhance early warning systems, and promote coordinated disaster risk reduction and emergency response across flood-prone communities.
The state-level engagement was held at the UNOCHA Conference Room, Dougire, Yola, and was officially flagged off by Mr. Abbani Imam Garki, Deputy Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, NEMA, on behalf of the Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the DG, Mr. Garki conveyed the agency’s strong commitment to building community-level preparedness:
“The rising frequency and intensity of floods as a result of climate change demands that we shift from reactive responses to a more proactive, preventive, and inclusive approach. The 2025 campaign is an important platform to empower local communities with information, tools, and support systems that can save lives and protect livelihoods. We call on all stakeholders—government, development partners, traditional institutions, and communities—to work hand in hand toward a flood-resilient Nigeria.”
The campaign emphasizes community-based risk reduction strategies, inter-agency coordination, and the practical use of early warning tools for timely responses during emergencies.
Participants at the event included representatives from relevant federal and state MDAs, the NPF, Nigerian Air Force, NSCDC, Red Cross, INGOs, and community leaders. Highlights of the event included technical presentations on local flood risk mapping, group discussions, and the development of context-specific action plans for vulnerable areas.
The engagement culminated in a field visit to Limawa, where the delegation interacted with community leaders, including the District Head of Jimeta and Mai Jimillas. The visit also featured safety demonstrations by the Adamawa State Fire Service and the Nigeria Red Cross Society, further reinforcing the core objectives of the campaign.
NEMA continues to urge communities to remain alert, heed weather advisories, and actively engage in local preparedness activities as the 2025 rainy season progresses.