In a renewed effort to mitigate the impact of the anticipated flooding forecasted in the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), through its Enugu Operations Office, has taken its flood sensitisation campaign to Enugu South Local Government Area—one of the areas flagged as highly vulnerable to seasonal floods.
The campaign, which is part of a nationwide directive issued by NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, aims to increase public awareness and strengthen community resilience ahead of likely climate-related disasters. The sensitisation outreach, carried out in partnership with the Enugu State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC), was held at Kenyatta Market, a major commercial hub within Enugu South LGA.
A statement posted on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Saturday confirmed that the initiative was in line with NEMA’s strategic focus on proactive disaster risk reduction and early response mechanisms as outlined in the 2025 climate outlook.
Speaking during the event, the Head of NEMA’s Enugu Operations Office, Mrs. Ngozi Echeazu, expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the Kenyatta Market for their warm reception and active participation. She emphasised the importance of timely community engagement and shared responsibility in managing environmental risks.
Mrs. Echeazu noted that the core objective of the sensitisation was to enlighten residents about the implications of the current climate projections, stressing the importance of early warning systems, local involvement, and risk transfer strategies such as insurance and disaster mitigation plans.
She said, “Educating the people on what to expect from the 2025 climate prediction and how best to prepare is essential. We are promoting a culture of readiness, because disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility. With this campaign, we are urging communities to take ownership of their safety and act ahead of time.”
The campaign featured interactive presentations focusing on flood preparedness strategies, fire safety tips, and basic first aid training. The sessions were tailored to address the local context, with materials and discussions presented in both English and native dialects to ensure inclusive communication.
As part of the activities, NEMA officials and their partners engaged in a road walk through key parts of Kenyatta Market, distributing educational flyers and engaging directly with traders and residents through one-on-one conversations. The approach, according to NEMA, is aimed at deepening understanding of the risks and encouraging prompt action from individuals and households.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing collaboration with state and local emergency structures to enhance disaster risk management efforts across vulnerable communities. By reinforcing early preparedness, NEMA hopes to significantly reduce the loss of lives and property when seasonal floods eventually occur.
