The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday launched a nationwide campaign in Calabar aimed at reducing disaster-related casualties in 2026 through improved preparedness and coordinated response efforts.
Speaking at the inauguration of the National Disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) 2026, themed “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,” the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, said the initiative was designed to promote early action and safeguard lives and livelihoods, particularly during the rainy season in vulnerable communities across the country.
Umar noted that recurring floods continued to devastate infrastructure, disrupt economic activities and displace communities annually in different parts of Nigeria.
According to NEMA statistics, flooding claimed 241 lives in 2025, a reduction from the 321 deaths recorded in 2024. Hundreds of thousands of people were also affected nationwide.
The agency’s data further revealed that 433,578 persons were affected by floods in 2025, while 144,790 were displaced, 839 injured, 52,592 houses damaged, and 74,767 acres of farmland destroyed.
Umar disclosed that the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Flood Outlook identified 33 states, including Cross River and the Federal Capital Territory, as high-risk flood areas.
“Following this, NEMA convened an expert review meeting in April to assess forecasts and develop a preparedness and mitigation framework to reduce flood impacts nationwide,” she said.
She urged state governments and residents of flood-prone communities to identify safe evacuation centres ahead of emergencies and intensify community-level preparedness measures.
The NEMA boss also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, media organisations and the private sector to support nationwide flood awareness campaigns and strengthen risk communication efforts.
As part of activities marking the campaign, Umar paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, where she advocated stronger proactive measures for effective flood management in the state.
Otu commended NEMA’s preparedness initiatives and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with the agency to improve disaster response mechanisms.
The event attracted stakeholders from emergency response agencies, the military, the Nigerian Red Cross, farmers’ associations, as well as traditional and religious organisations.
