The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced its 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards for the South‑South geopolitical zone in Calabar, Cross River State. Director General Mrs. Zubaida Umar flagged off the exercise on Thursday, 14 May 2026, describing it as a drive to secure early, coordinated action that will protect lives, property, and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season.
She highlighted that the South‑South region is among Nigeria’s most flood‑prone areas due to its coastal geography, intense rainfall, overflowing rivers, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and the worsening effects of climate change, which often lead to repeated flooding, displacement of communities, loss of farmland, and disruption of economic activities. Umar stressed that starting mitigation and preparedness efforts early is critical to reducing the impact of expected floods, especially in vulnerable communities across the zone.
The NEMA DG urged traditional institutions, religious bodies, women and youth groups, the media, and the private sector to partner with the Agency in amplifying early warning messages, saying that disaster risk management is a shared responsibility. She disclosed that NEMA has developed the 2026 Climate‑Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to guide flood‑related actions across the country. Key measures under the framework include training local responders, conducting simulation and tabletop exercises, following rainfall and flood advisories, regularly clearing drainage channels and waterways, and formulating and testing community evacuation plans.
Mrs. Umar explained that NEMA’s Flood Early Warning System has been used to produce risk profiles and vulnerability maps for at‑risk communities, which will help federal, state, and local governments target interventions more effectively. She noted that technical teams will be deployed to all states, working with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and community volunteers to carry out on‑the‑ground sensitisation and outreach.
The Director General expressed confidence that the campaign would reduce the severity of floods, protect livelihoods, and support the broader objectives of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. As part of the activities, she also visited Cross River State Governor Senator Bassey Otu, where she urged the state government to step up proactive flood‑management measures. Governor Otu welcomed the campaign, commended NEMA’s proactive approach to disaster preparedness, and pledged the state’s continued collaboration with the Agency in strengthening flood preparedness and response mechanisms.