NEMA Flags Off 2026 Flood Preparedness Campaign For South-South Region In Calabar, Cross River State
CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE — MAY 15, 2026
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has flagged off the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards for the South-South geo-political zone in Calabar, Cross River State.
Director-General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, who flagged off the campaign on Thursday, May 14, 2026, said the initiative was aimed at driving early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season.
She noted that the South-South region remains one of the areas most vulnerable to flooding in Nigeria due to its coastal location, high rainfall intensity, overflowing river systems, poor drainage infrastructure and the growing impact of climate change. According to her, these factors have continued to trigger recurrent flooding, displacement of communities, destruction of farmlands and disruption of livelihoods across the region.
Mrs. Umar stressed the importance of proactive measures to prevent, mitigate and effectively respond to anticipated flooding across the country, particularly in flood-prone communities within the South-South zone.
She called on traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups, the media, the private sector and other stakeholders to support NEMA in amplifying early warning messages, emphasizing that disaster management is a collective responsibility.
The NEMA boss further disclosed that the agency had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to serve as a structured guide for reducing flood impacts nationwide.
She identified key mitigation strategies to include capacity building for local responders, simulation and tabletop exercises, strict adherence to rainfall and flood advisories, regular clearing of drainage channels and waterways, as well as the development and testing of community evacuation plans.
Mrs. Umar also stated that through its Flood Early Warning System, NEMA had identified risk profiles and designed tailored mitigation measures for communication to at-risk communities. She added that vulnerability maps had also been produced to guide federal, state and local governments in targeted risk reduction planning.
According to her, NEMA would deploy technical teams to all states of the federation for direct community outreach, with support from State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) and community volunteers.
The Director-General expressed optimism that the engagement would strengthen preparedness, reduce the impact of recurrent floods, safeguard livelihoods and support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
