The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it is taking proactive steps to tackle flooding through its Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) programme.
NEMA’s Head of Operations for Abia and Imo, Mr Innocent Nweze, said this on Wednesday in Owerri during a refresher training on the USAR programme organised for staff members and critical stakeholders.
Nweze described the programme as “very important”, given the increasing complexity of urban environments and the growing risk of building collapse, landslides, explosions, industrial accidents, communal crises and other urban emergencies.
He said these complexities, as well as flooding in various communities across the country, required well-trained, properly equipped and coordinated response teams.
“USAR operations are among the most demanding emergency response activities. They require specialised knowledge, appropriate equipment, teamwork, discipline, effective communication and the ability to make timely decisions under extremely challenging conditions. More importantly, USAR operations are about saving lives and reducing suffering when every minute matters,” Nweze said.
According to him, the programme is designed to strengthen the capacity of emergency responders and enhance inter-agency coordination. He further said it seeks to promote the adoption of internationally recognised principles and good practices in search and rescue operations, especially in urban areas.
He thanked NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs Umar Zubaida, and her management team for their support. He also thanked partner organisations for their efforts to facilitate the programme’s implementation.
He urged them to remain committed to building competent, coordinated and effective USAR teams capable of responding rapidly and safely to emergencies and saving lives.
“Effective disaster management is a collective responsibility, and programmes such as this demonstrate the importance of collaboration in building resilient communities,” Nweze said.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service and the National Inland Waterways Authority were all represented at the event.
A major highlight was a simulation exercise on rescuing a drowning person at the popular Otammiri River.
