Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency, KADSEMA, and the National Orientation Agency, NOA, yesterday commenced flood preparedness campaign in Kaduna North Local Government Area.
The Zonal Coordinator, KADSEMA, Mohammed Shafii, in his remarks during the exercise, noted that most flood disasters are preventable if communities embrace early action and proper waste disposal practices.
Shafii cautioned residents against indiscriminate dumping of refuse in waterways and called for the adoption of safer practices to reduce the impact of flood.
”People must stop blocking drainages with refuse. Residents close to rivers should vacate before the water level rises. Preparedness is the key to saving lives,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs Aisha Adamu of NOA, Kaduna North, said the campaign is aimed at protecting lives and property in flood-prone communities.
She listed vulnerable areas to include Kigo Road, Kabala, Malali, Unguwar Rimi, Rafin Guza and Unguwar Dosa, urging residents to heed early warnings and move to safer locations.
Adamu disclosed that a rehabilitation centre at Kigo Road was designated as a temporary shelter for those displaced by flood.
In the same vein, the Programme Officer, Christian Aid Nigeria, Mr Michael Aboh, said disaster preparedness, waste disposal and adherence to early warning alerts are critical to reducing flood impact in the state.
He explained that the campaign is part of efforts to strengthen community resilience, especially in areas with poor waste management and unplanned settlements.
Aboh stressed that grassroots awareness is crucial since communities are usually the first responders when disasters struck.
”By equipping people with the right information, they can take preventive measures. This is about resilience, waste management and safe relocation when water levels rise,” he said.
He added that disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility, noting that behavioural change such as stopping refuse dump into waterways would reduce flooding impact in Kaduna.
The exercise was supported by Christian Aid, UNICEF and the European Union Humanitarian Aid. (NAN)
