By Philomina Attah

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for greater commitment and effective collaboration on emergency management to enhance disaster response capabilities in the country.

The Director-General of the agency,  Mrs Zubaida Umar, said this on Monday in Abuja at a training workshop aimed at encouraging partners in crisis to organise better emergency responses during sudden and complex emergencies.

The training organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in coordination with NEMA had the title, ‘Mass Casualty and Public Health Emergency Management Component’.

She acknowledged the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, saying that both natural and human-induced disasters resulted in significant human and economic losses.

She added that the training aims to identify gaps in current emergency response systems and equip participants with tools that will aid them in addressing gaps during emergencies.

Umar highlighted the importance of proactive preparation, inter-agency collaboration, and the role of technology in improving disaster management.

“Disasters, whether natural or human-induced, often result in loss of lives, human displacement, and long-term physical and emotional trauma to family units and communities.

“They place a heavy financial burden on government at all levels, often stretching the already limited resources, public health emergencies which frequently follow these catastrophic events further complicate the situation,” she said.

She quoted a renowned philosopher, Steve Cyrus, as saying, “When disaster strikes the time to prepare has passed.

“This statement underscores the fundamental truth that proactive preparation is the cornerstone of effective crisis management.

“This training is, therefore, timely and apt. It comes at a moment when our collective ability to respond to disasters and restore normalcy is put to test in various disaster hotspots across Nigeria,” she said.

The National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, said that the training marked a significant step towards enhancing crisis management capabilities in the country.

Ribadu, who was represented by Maj.- Gen. Adamu Laka, commended the foresight of the organisers and emphasised the training’s alignment with national security objectives.

He highlighted the importance of topics such as trauma management and crisis doctrines, saying they are crucial in today’s security landscape.

“The training promises hands-on exercises, ensuring participants can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios,” he said.

Mr Lawrence Devlin, Head of Counter Terrorism Netlink for West Africa, said that as experts from the Joint Counterterrorism Training and Advisory Team prepared to guide participants through practical scenarios, added that the UK is committed to Nigeria’s security through shared experiences and strategic partnerships.

Devlin, who also represented the British High Commission, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaborative effort to combat terrorism and address gender-based violence during the 16 days of activism.

“I understand that today is the start of a series of practical scenarios being held this week as part of the Rapid Response exercise.

“As the UK, we are here to observe, to listen, and to share our experiences from similar exercises and real events in the UK.

“By observing the training this week, we’re seeking to build our understanding of how your agencies work together to keep the Nigerian population safe.

“Our engagement this week is part of our commitment to partner with Nigeria. On his recent visit to Nigeria, our foreign secretary was delighted to sign a strategic partnership between our two nations.

“A partnership which recognises the deep historical ties, strong people-to-people links, and our shared interests across regional and international peace and security,” he said.

On counter-terrorism, Devlin said that we’ve committed to supporting Nigeria in crisis management, aviation and maritime security, and others.

“Today is part of our commitment to crisis management.

“Crucially, it offers us a chance to learn from you and to share our lessons and experiences with you.

“We’ve supported similar exercises elsewhere in the region, notably Ghana, and our team of experts will draw on their experience this week to guide you in your efforts.

On her part, Ms Patience Omokri, the Head of Medical Intelligence at the Office of the National Security Adviser, said that the event, part of the Exercise Rapid Response scheduled for November 28, 2020, aims to bolster preparedness for crisis scenarios.

She added that the training seeks to equip attendees with essential skills to manage emergencies effectively.

She encouraged participants to engage actively and collaborate for a comprehensive learning experience. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

(Edited by Emmanuel Yashim)