The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for proactive measures to prevent man-made disasters.

This was contained in a statement signed by Zainab Sa’idu, NEMA Operations Office head, to commemorate the 2021 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) in Minna on Thursday.

It was an offshoot of the seven global targets of the Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction instituted in 2016.

Ms Sa’idu called on policymakers and governments at all levels, community leaders across Niger and Kwara, to be pragmatic in ensuring that disaster risks were reduced to the barest minimum.

“This is expedient because when risks are allowed or left unchecked, they lead to events that eventually overwhelm the coping capacity of communities,” she said.

Ms Saidu further noted that to contain disasters in the face of climate change, there was the need for all hands to be on deck to forestall disasters.

She advised the governments of Niger and Kwara, community, traditional and religious leaders to champion the cause in their states, to forestall the occurrence of many preventable disasters.

“This would, in return, not only save lives but also save public resources, reduce wastages and avoid losses that can result from disaster occurrences,” explained the NEMA official. “The federal government has provided a series of interventions in Niger and Kwara to support victims of disasters to serve as succour.”

Ms Saidu urged the states’ residents to desist from activities that may endanger their lives, including refraining from indiscriminate dumping refuse on waterways and building on flood plains.

“They should also switch off electrical appliances when not in use in homes, as well as shun other unhealthy practices that lead to disasters,” the NEMA official admonished.

(NAN)