Zamfara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to enhance disaster risk management, mitigate the impact of environmental hazards, and protect vulnerable communities from recurrent disasters.
This commitment comes amid a backdrop of multiple crises affecting the state from flooding and armed banditry to windstorms and displacement. Local authorities say that effective coordination with NEMA is critical in ensuring timely response and long-term resilience.
What’s Happening Now
Joint Assessments and Relief Distribution: Recently, NEMA and Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) conducted a joint assessment of a windstorm that damaged homes in Bungudu and Maru Local Government Areas. About 300 houses were reported damaged. NEMA also flagged off large-scale distribution of relief materials to those affected by both flood disasters and armed banditry across several Local Government Areas. Food items, non-food essentials, and agricultural equipment are among the aid being supplied.
Proactive Sensitization & Risk Reduction Efforts: Through stakeholder engagement and community sensitization programmes, Zamfara and NEMA are helping flood-prone communities adopt preventive strategies.Officials also warn against practices that worsen risks, such as dumping refuse in waterways or blocking drainage, and urge community uptake of early warning messaging.
Requests by Zamfara Government for Greater Intervention: Governor Dauda Lawal visited NEMA’s headquarters in Abuja to appeal for enhanced support for displaced persons, economic empowerment tools, relief for victims of banditry, and assistance for livelihood recovery. The state has sought more resources for shelters, non-food items, food, and psychological/trauma support for affected populations.
Why This Matters
Frequent Hazards in Zamfara: Zamfara experiences floods, bandit attacks, windstorms, and sometimes outbreaks of disease, which disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Effective disaster risk management is essential to managing these recurring risks.
Building Local Resilience: By working with NEMA, Zamfara is able to access technical expertise, relief resources, and early warning systems. These partnerships are important for strengthening the state’s capacity to respond effectively and reduce disaster impacts.
Policy & Prevention over Reaction: Sensitisation, assessment, and early warning are being emphasized, which shows a shift from simply responding to disasters to trying to mitigate and prevent some of their impacts.
Challenges & What Needs to Be Done
Infrastructure & Drainage: The state needs better drainage systems, clearance of water channels, and infrastructure to reduce flood risk.
Resource Gaps: There are still gaps in relief materials, agricultural supports, and livelihood recovery programmes. Many affected communities are displaced and require more than just temporary assistance.
Community Awareness & Participation: Early warning messages must reach rural and remote communities. Community buy-in is vital.
Coordination & Data: Proper assessments, damage quantification, and database/reporting systems are needed to track disasters, plan responses, and allocate resources effectively.
Government’s Statement & NEMA’s Role
Governor Dauda Lawal has publicly expressed his gratitude for NEMA’s interventions and reiterated his administration’s readiness to reinforce collaboration. “We will do everything possible to find solutions and restore normalcy to troubled areas in the state,” he declared during a meeting with NEMA.
On its part, NEMA has assured Zamfara State of more support. The agency has committed to deploying assessment teams, distributing relief items, and coordinating with state and local agencies to implement disaster risk management strategies.
Zamfara State’s dedication to partnering with NEMA reflects an understanding that disasters are not just emergencies to respond to; they require planning, prevention, and collaboration. If properly supported, these joint efforts can reduce both human suffering and economic losses.
