The Network of Civil Society in Environment (NCSC) on Tuesday called on residents to develop community-based early warning systems and response plans against floods.
The Coordinator of the Network, Ms Gloria Bulus, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Kaduna, while reacting to the devastating floods in some parts of the country.
“Residents must understand that they are the first responders in the face of any emergency and must develop their own strategy or response plan.
“They must also set up their own early warning systems against floods including other climate-related hazards,” Bulus said.
She pointed out that many parts of the country were experiencing floods, leading to loss of lives and properties, describing the development as “worrisome”.
She called on the state governments to double their efforts to support communities that were at risk with an effective response mechanism to help save lives and properties.
The coordinator also appealed to responsible government agencies to set up temporary camps, early warning systems and provide some sort of relief materials for those affected.
She also said that relevant government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) must be strengthened in terms of technical capacity, finance, and equipment for effective response.
“Additionally, waterways such as drainages must be free from blockages and built to support heavy amounts of water from different sources such as rain and rivers,” she said.
The environmentalist also noted the new dimension of flood in Kaduna state with communities like Unguwan Dosa experiencing flood for the first time
She said that the state government and its residents would have to “think outside the box” to mitigate floods in affected communities and prevent other communities from likely occurrence.
She advised strongly that emergency response must be strengthened, adding that relevant MDAs and stakeholders must collaborate to address the issue on ground.
She further said that assessments must be carried out with strategic decisions that will mitigate flood and effective response systems for the state and not leave behind the communities in decision making.
“Governments at all levels must also come up with some form of social protection intervention to mitigate the impact of the devastating flood on the poor and vulnerable and reduce their risk of economic shocks.
“One of the important functions of social protection is fostering disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation.
“The government must support in building the resilience of communities through strengthening their capacity to absorb stress or destructive forces.
“This can be achieved through building resistance or adaptation and to be able to manage, or maintain certain basic functions and structures, during disastrous events as well as recover after disastrous events,” Bulus said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
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