The International Association of Emergency Management Africa (IAEM Africa) says it will focus on local knowledge and expertise in developing the framework for disaster management in the continent.

The president of IAEM Africa, Susan Agada, stated this at the IAEM’s inaugural symposium in Abuja on Monday.

According to Ms Agada, building an Africa-centred resilient and adaptive disaster management framework is imperative because most frameworks without sufficient involvement of Africans do not work in the continent.

Ms Agada said the framework would strengthen responses to emergency crises and anticipate and mitigate them, safeguarding communities and fostering sustainable development.

Ms Agada, however, said that, while prioritising African-led solutions, the association would seek resources and partnerships beyond African borders.

She stressed the need to speak with one voice in addressing the myriads of challenges confronting Africa, particularly threats posed by climate change.

Also speaking, Zubaida Umar, the director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency, stressed the need for robust and coordinated emergency management strategies for Africa.

Ms Umar said IAEM Africa provided the needed platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing among emergency management professionals.

Similarly, Florence Wenegieme, acting director-general of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, said IAEM Africa would significantly impact disaster management and response in Africa.

She urged the association to strengthen networking among disaster management professionals in Africa and promote adaptation of technology-driven innovations in disaster management.

Abbas Idriss, the pioneer director-general of the FCT Emergency Management Agency, said disaster response was a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary, and multi-agency activity that required networking to share information, expertise, and resources.

(NAN)