NEMA urges flood prevention as it distributes relief to Cross River flood victims and calls for better preparedness and environmental practices

The National Emergency Management Agency has urged flood-affected communities to adopt improved environmental practices and disaster risk reduction as part of what the agency described as a new national response paradigm.

Also read: NEMA urges councils to boost disaster policies as flood victims get relief

The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs Zubaida Umar, delivered the message while distributing relief materials to victims in Ogoja and Yala Local Government Areas of Cross River State.

Mrs Umar was represented by the Head of Relief and Rehabilitation at the Uyo Operations Office, Mr Victor Akpakpan.

Mrs Umar said prevention and preparedness must guide community responses to recurring climate-related disasters.

Mrs Umar said responsible waste disposal, drainage maintenance and early warning systems would reduce losses and save lives when floods strike.

Mrs Umar expressed sympathy with residents affected by flooding earlier in the year and said the intervention was designed to cushion the impact of the disaster and support recovery in devastated communities.

Beneficiaries were seen leaving distribution centres with food items, expressing relief as assistance reached households facing displacement and loss of livelihoods.

The lawmaker representing Ogoja and Yala Federal Constituency, Mr Godwin Offiono, thanked the Federal Government and the National Emergency Management Agency for the intervention.

Mr Offiono said the constituency experienced severe flooding during the rainy season, destroying homes, roads and farmlands and worsening food insecurity for vulnerable rural families.

Mr Offiono said the assistance was timely but added that sustained support would be essential to rebuild livelihoods and strengthen resilience against future floods.

A beneficiary, Mr Igbang Ebiamu, described the relief as a lifeline and commended the Federal Government, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Cross River State Government.

Mr Ebiamu appealed for further assistance, saying many victims still needed shelter, seeds and tools to restart farming.

Items distributed included 300 bags each of rice and garri, 150 cartons of spaghetti, vegetable oil, tomato paste, seasoning and iodised salt.