What Are Emergency Management Agencies Doing for the People?

From Alfijir News 

Whenever floods, windstorms, fires, building collapses or other major disasters occur, State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) are expected to be among the first government institutions to respond to affected communities.

However, the responsibilities of SEMA should not be limited to providing relief after a disaster has occurred. They should also include pre-disaster preparedness, early warning, public awareness, rescue operations, assessment of disaster impacts, and support for people who have lost their homes or means of livelihood.

In this special report, Alfijir Labarai will continue to monitor the activities of SEMA and other emergency management authorities across Northern Nigeria, with particular attention to measures being taken to protect lives and property.

🌊 2026 FLOODS: A MAJOR THREAT

Data from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) indicates that 2026 presents a significant flood risk.

NEMA said the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) identified 14,118 communities across 266 Local Government Areas in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory as areas at high risk of flooding in 2026.

Another 15,597 communities across 405 Local Government Areas in 35 states were identified as being at moderate risk of flooding.

This further highlights the importance of SEMA ensuring that flood warnings translate into practical preventive action, rather than remaining mere announcements.

NEMA has also stressed the importance of early warning systems, evacuation planning, public awareness and taking preventive action before floodwaters reach vulnerable communities.

🌪️ JIGAWA: WINDSTORM AFFECTS 5,403 PEOPLE

In Jigawa State, a windstorm affected 5,403 households across 120 communities in 13 Local Government Areas.

The SEMA report confirmed that seven people died while 53 others were injured.

The storm also damaged more than 47 primary and secondary schools, three health facilities and two police stations, in addition to residential buildings and other public and private properties.

Of particular interest is the fact that the Jigawa Government approved more than N800 million for emergency preparedness, including the procurement and storage of relief materials to ensure a faster response when disasters occur.

This is an example of preparedness — having resources available before they are urgently needed.

🌧️ SOKOTO: PREPARING FOR FLOODS

In Sokoto State, SEMA, in collaboration with NEMA, launched the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards to raise public awareness and strengthen measures to protect lives and property.

The authorities stressed the importance of taking preventive measures before flooding occurs, particularly given the damage caused by previous floods to homes, farmlands, roads and other properties across the state.

🚨 KADUNA: RESCUE OPERATIONS AS A KEY RESPONSIBILITY

In Kaduna State, NEMA and the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) participated in a search operation for two people reportedly swept away by floodwaters in the Kaduna River.

The operation involved the Fire Service, local water-rescue personnel and other emergency responders following an emergency alert.

The incident demonstrates the importance of collaboration between SEMA and other emergency-response agencies in ensuring rapid intervention when lives are at risk.

💧 KEBBI: EARLY WARNING AND COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS

In Kebbi State, steps have also been taken to strengthen flood preparedness.

The Red Cross trained 72 people from six Local Government Areas in emergency response during floods and provided them with water-level monitoring equipment to support early warning efforts.

The Local Government Areas involved were Shanga, Yauri, Koko/Besse, Argungu, Ngaski and Bagudo.

This demonstrates how collaboration between SEMA, humanitarian organisations and voluntary agencies can help bring emergency preparedness and response closer to vulnerable communities.

🏢 NEMA: TOWARDS A NEW APPROACH

At the national level, NEMA is working to strengthen the emergency-management system by moving away from a model that waits for disasters to occur before responding, towards one that emphasises preparedness, early warning and preventive action.

The agency has also stressed stronger collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees, traditional institutions and local communities so that warnings and preventive measures can reach people at risk in good time.

📌 WHAT ALFIJIR LABARAI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR

Every Thursday, Alfijir Labarai will monitor the activities of SEMA and other emergency-management authorities across:

Kano • Jigawa • Katsina • Kaduna • Sokoto • Kebbi • Zamfara • Bauchi • Gombe • Yobe • Borno • Adamawa • Taraba • Niger • Nasarawa • Plateau

We will monitor:

• The number of disasters recorded.
• People who lost their lives or sustained injuries.
• People who lost their homes or were displaced.
• Houses and properties destroyed.
• Relief provided by governments.
• Food and other relief materials distributed.
• Rescue and evacuation operations.
• SEMA preparedness measures before disasters.
• Early-warning systems and public awareness.
• Collaboration between SEMA and NEMA.
• Challenges facing IDPs and other displaced persons.
• Achievements recorded by emergency-management authorities and areas requiring further action.

❓ KEY QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

The most important question is not only “What happened?”

The questions are:

Was adequate preparation made before the disaster occurred?

Did the warning reach the affected communities in time?

Were rescue equipment and relief materials available?

And after the disaster occurred, how quickly did assistance reach the affected people?

These are some of the issues Alfijir Labarai will continue to monitor in order to provide a clearer picture of how disaster-management systems are working across Northern Nigeria

Special Report — Every Thursday

Alfijir Labarai — Accurate • Timely • Trusted.

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