The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Monday held a stakeholders’ engagement and community outreach in Katsina as part of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on floods and related hazards.
The exercise aimed to strengthen disaster risk governance and build resilience against flood-related disasters ahead of the 2026 rainy season.
Participants included officials from the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), various ministries, departments and agencies, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, traditional institutions, women and youth groups, community representatives, and the media.
Speaking at the event, NEMA Director-General Zubaida Umar said the campaign was designed to promote early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the rainy season.
Represented by the agency’s Head of Operations, Suleiman Muhammad, the Director-General noted that the campaign’s theme, “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance for a Resilient Nigeria,” highlights the need for stronger institutions, proactive collaboration, and clear responsibilities in disaster management.
Umar expressed concern over the recurring impact of flooding across the country. She cited the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.
The Director-General said both agencies identified several states and local government areas at high risk of flooding.
She added that NEMA had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to guide national efforts.
“The framework focuses on reducing flood impact through capacity building, simulation exercises, infrastructure assessments, prepositioning of relief materials, and community evacuation planning,” she said.
SEMA Executive Secretary Binta Hussaini-Dangani commended NEMA for the timely engagement.
She said flooding remains a recurring challenge in Katsina State and praised Governor Dikko Radda for his support to affected communities in past incidents.
Hussaini-Dangani added that SEMA had already begun sensitising residents in vulnerable communities across the state ahead of the rainy season.
The engagement was followed by an outreach visit to Kwanar Are community in Rimi Local Government Area.
The community was selected because of its proximity to Kwanar Are Dam, which officials said is already at full capacity and could pose flood risks to surrounding areas.
