The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has begun a three-day training to strengthen emergency response capacity across Nigeria’s North-West states. The training, which started on Tuesday in Kano, focuses on community engagement and effective communication during humanitarian emergencies.
UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office in Kano, Shafeeq Ur-Rehman, said community trust, participation and resilience were essential to effective responses to floods, disease outbreaks, displacement and insecurity. He said stronger community engagement would help promote life-saving behaviour, counter misinformation, improve coordination and strengthen accountability during emergencies.
The training brings together emergency management personnel from Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states. NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr Godwin Tepikor, said the programme would promote inclusive approaches, stronger partnerships and practical solutions to improve community resilience and disaster preparedness.
Kano State Emergency Management Agency Executive Secretary, Isyaku Kubarachi, also called for stronger early-warning systems, improved sanitation and coordinated action to reduce the impact of flooding and other emergencies. Participants pledged to share the knowledge gained with their institutions and communities to strengthen preparedness and protect lives and property.
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