The National Emergency Management Agency on Monday held a stakeholders’ engagement and community outreach in Katsina as part of the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on flood and related hazards.

The exercise aimed to strengthen disaster risk governance and build resilience against flood-related disasters ahead of the 2026 rainy season.

Participants included officials of the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency, ministries, departments, agencies, security agencies, humanitarian organisations, traditional institutions, women and youth groups, community representatives, and the media.

NEMA director-general Zubaida Umar said the campaign was designed to promote early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the rainy season.

Ms Umar expressed concern over the recurring impact of flooding nationwide, citing the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency.

The NEMA boss said both organisations identified several states and local government areas at risk. She said NEMA had developed the 2026 Climate-Related Risk Management, Preparedness and Mitigation Framework to guide national efforts.

“The framework focuses on reducing flood impact through capacity building, simulation exercises, infrastructure assessments, prepositioning of relief materials, and community evacuation planning,” she said.

SEMA executive secretary Binta Hussaini-Dangani, commended NEMA for the timely engagement. She said flooding remains a recurring challenge in Katsina and praised Governor Dikko Radda for supporting affected communities in past incidents.

Ms Hussaini-Dangani added that SEMA had already begun sensitising residents in vulnerable communities across the state ahead of the rainy season.

(NAN)