Nigeria launches Anticipatory Action Task Force for flood response

Vice President Kashim Shettima has disclosed that the Federal Government has moved Nigeria’s flood response from reactive disaster relief to proactive preparedness with the launch of the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF) on Floods.

According to him, the initiative aligns with global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which emphasises proactive disaster preparedness to mitigate the impact of natural disasters and protect vulnerable communities.

The Vice President, who gave the hint during a meeting of the Anticipatory Action Task Force (AATF) on Floods at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, said the traditional response of mobilising relief after floods strike is no longer sustainable.

According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications, Office of The Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Members of the Task Force include Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, alongside state emergency management agencies and international development partners.

Earlier in his remarks, United Nations Resident & Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Fall, explained that the United States’ suspension of humanitarian funding is a wake-up call for Nigeria to be more efficient, adding that “transitioning from reactive aid to anticipatory action is critical.

Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria, Trond Jensen, commended the initiative, explaining that “a critical part of humanitarian response is anticipatory action; not only are we saving lives and reducing vulnerability, we are doing it more efficiently.”

Director General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, narrated ongoing efforts to enhance disaster preparedness, including the development of the Hazard Risk Countrywide Analysis, a document aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s resilience against flooding.

Writing by Olaedo Mbiwe; Editing by Muzha Kucha