The Kebbi government, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other stakeholders, has intensified efforts to strengthen flood preparedness and emergency response ahead of the 2026 rainy season.

The initiative was the focus of a three-day Emergency Preparedness Workshop held in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.

The workshop brought together representatives from government ministries, emergency management agencies, security organisations, humanitarian partners, community leaders, and technical experts.

The commissioner for humanitarian affairs, Muhammadu Hamidu-Jarkuka, reaffirmed the Kebbi government’s commitment to disaster risk reduction through proactive planning and collaboration.

Mr Hamidu-Jarkuka said the state was determined to minimise the devastating impact of floods by strengthening preparedness at all levels.

He stressed the importance of effective coordination among relevant agencies and active community participation, urging participants to share practical ideas to improve the state’s emergency response capacity.

The zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, Tukur Abubakar, underscored the growing threat posed by climate change and recurring floods across the country.

He commended the Kebbi government and development partners for taking proactive steps ahead of the peak of the rainy season.

Mr Abubakar emphasised the need to strengthen early warning dissemination, improve community awareness, and reinforce coordinated response mechanisms to reduce disaster risks.

UNICEF Nigeria’s emergency specialist, Olayinka Afolabi, described preparedness as the most effective strategy for reducing the humanitarian impact of disasters, particularly on children and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, the workshop is designed as a practical working session to update flood risk analyses, strengthen early-warning communication channels, clarify sectoral responsibilities, and review emergency assessment and response tools.

He added that participants would also develop practical preparedness actions to be implemented before the peak of the rainy season.

Mr Afolabi stressed the importance of ensuring that communities receive timely, accurate, and actionable information to enable them to take early protective measures before disasters strike.

He noted that the workshop adopted a multi-hazard approach, considering not only flood risks but also potential disease outbreaks, including cholera, as well as population displacement.

According to him, the exercise will culminate in simulation drills to test existing emergency plans, coordination structures, communication systems, and decision-making processes under realistic flood and cholera emergency scenarios.

He explained that lessons learnt from the simulation would guide concrete follow-up actions to strengthen disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity across Kebbi State.

The emergency specialist reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting government-led efforts to build resilient communities, safeguard vulnerable populations, and ensure that no child or family is left behind during emergencies.

(NAN)