As seasonal rains heighten the risk of severe flooding along the River Benue, disaster management authorities in Nigeria are taking a proactive stance to prevent catastrophe.
The National Emergency Management Agency, alongside the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, has wrapped up a major two-day, full-scale flood response simulation in Makurdi, Benue State.
Supported by global development partners, the drill aims to turn early warning alerts into rapid, life-saving action.
With its expansive network of floodplains and heavy seasonal downpours, Benue State remains on the frontlines of riverine and urban flooding.
To break the cycle of reactive relief, authorities are testing their readiness before the waters rise.
Code-named “MWAR UMA,” meaning “Saving Lives,” the full-scale exercise deploys emergency rescue teams, tests simulated victim evacuations and establishes temporary displacement camps in real time.
Representing Governor Hyacinth Alia, Deputy Governor Sam Ode reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening emergency management and humanitarian response in the state.
Supported by the UNDP, UNICEF and the World Bank, the exercise addresses crucial communication gaps among first responders.
For NEMA, the exercise provides an opportunity for participating agencies to develop a common understanding of the emergency scenario and test coordinated response mechanisms.
The exercise is expected to strengthen institutional coordination, improve emergency response mechanisms and enhance the capacity of stakeholders to minimise the impact of flooding while protecting lives and livelihoods across the state.
(Follow AIT News on WhatsApp, AfricaIndependentTV on YouTube, ait_online on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter), and officialait on TikTok, Instagram and Threads)
EDITOR: Ada Ononye
