NEMA marks out safer grounds for internally displaced persons.

[FMINigeria]

The National Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the Imo and Delta State Governments have identified safer grounds for citing of the official camps for persons that may be displaced by the 2013 flood predicted by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to avoid the use of schools as temporary camps.

The Director General of NEMA, Muhammad Sani Sidi stated this at separate consultative fora with stakeholders in emergency management in Owerri, and Asaba organized by the agency in collaboration with the various State Emergency Management Agencies.

He said that the purpose of the consultation was to acquaint people with the preparations being made by the agency and also interact with stakeholders towards reviewing areas for further collaboration. He told the stakeholders present that everyone has the duty of ensuring that the disasters from last year's floods are not repeated.

Sani Sidi noted that the agency has been involved in the training of volunteers in basic disaster management, advocacy, sensitisation and awareness campaign in different communities to avoid the repeat of what happened in 2012. He urged the stakeholders to respond to the early warning campaign by acting early.

He reiterated that the agency is geared towards ensuring that this year's camps are located outside the school arrangement to avoid disruption of school activities. He also commended the activities of the two State Governments for taking early action in preparation for the 2013 flood.

In another development, the IDP camp in Asaba, Delta State was inspected and discovered to contain up to five thousand persons. The temporary camp site at the Alaoma Development Centre in Oguta LGA, Imo State was also visited.

Participants at the fora comprised community leaders and officials of State Emergency Management Agencies, the Red Cross, Civil Defence Corps, Faith-based Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Source: NEMA marks out safer grounds for internally displaced persons.
Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria