The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says it will work with the Anambra Government to mitigate losses suffered by residents as a result of flooding through insurance.

Ibarakumo Walson, the Director of NEMA in charge of the South-East region, said this in an interview with journalists in Awka on Saturday.

Mr Walson said the management of the agency had met with officials of the Anambra Government on the need for people in disaster-prone areas to obtain insurance against disaster-related losses.

According to him, the management of NEMA at the national headquarters has met with top officials of the Anambra Government to invite them to a seminar on insurance for farmers and other people in flood-prone areas.

“An international Non Governmental Organisation has come to do that and we are working to ensure Anambra benefits from that insurance programme,” he said.

Mr Walson said NEMA had commenced the National Preparedness Response Campaign, which targets flood-prone communities.

He said part of the aim was to encourage people to identify higher ground, begin stockpiling relief materials, and train locals in search and rescue operations.

He said farmers should not panic into forced or premature harvesting of produce, as there was no immediate threat.

“Also, we are currently distributing 4,000 good baskets from the Saudi Arabia government to 4,000 families in Anambra.

“Beneficiaries are victims of last flooding and they are drawn from about seven local government areas of the state,” he said. 

(NAN)