The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on flood-affected communities across the country to embrace improved environmental practices and disaster risk reduction strategies, describing the approach as a new national response paradigm to climate-related disasters.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the call while distributing relief materials to flood victims in Ogoja and Yala Local Government Areas of Cross River State. She was represented at the event by Mr. Victor Akpakpan, Head of Relief and Rehabilitation at the Uyo Operations Office.
Umar stressed that prevention and preparedness must guide community responses to recurring floods and other climate-induced disasters. According to her, responsible waste disposal, regular drainage maintenance and effective early warning systems are critical to reducing losses and saving lives when floods occur.
She sympathised with residents affected by the flooding, explaining that the intervention was aimed at cushioning the impact of floods recorded earlier in the year and supporting recovery efforts in the devastated communities.
At the distribution centres, beneficiaries were seen leaving with assorted food items, expressing relief as the assistance reached households that have struggled for months following displacement and disruption of livelihoods.
Mr. Godwin Offiono, who represented the Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency, thanked the Federal Government and NEMA for the intervention, describing the support as deeply appreciated by the people. He noted that the constituency experienced severe flooding during the rainy season, which destroyed homes, roads and farmlands, and worsened food insecurity among vulnerable rural families.
Offiono, however, called for sustained support, saying continued assistance would be essential to rebuild livelihoods and strengthen resilience against future floods.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Igbang Ebiamu commended the Federal Government, NEMA and the Cross River State Government for what she described as a lifeline to affected families. She appealed for additional support from all tiers of government, noting that many victims still require shelter, seeds and farming tools to restart agricultural activities.
Relief items distributed included 300 bags each of rice and garri, 150 cartons of spaghetti, as well as vegetable oil, tomato paste, seasoning and iodised salt.
