The Nigerian Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, on Wednesday, conducted a flood simulation exercise in Lagi community, Wamba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The exercise, which formed part of the Italian Government-funded Flood Resilience Project, was designed to strengthen preparedness in flood-prone communities and minimise disaster risks.
Mr. Aminu Bagudo, Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Officer of NRCS in Abuja, said the initiative was being implemented in six high-risk states – Nasarawa, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Enugu, and Lagos.
He explained that the simulation involved practical evacuation drills to demonstrate how communities could respond swiftly to flood emergencies.
“This year’s flood prediction is very high, so my appeal to the government is not to wait until floods happen before rescuing victims. Let’s focus on prevention; that is the approach the Red Cross is adopting,” Bagudo said.
He further advised communities to relocate to higher ground once water levels begin to rise, stressing the importance of the “Early Warning, Early Action” model in preventing loss of lives and property.
Also speaking, Mr. Jerry Kuje, Secretary of the NRCS Nasarawa State Branch, urged residents of riverine areas to move to safer locations. He noted that the exercise aimed to raise awareness and equip communities with safety measures while awaiting external support.
Kuje also appealed to the government to provide relief materials for flood-affected persons and to support organisations working to complement official interventions.
In his remarks, Mr. Ademuyiwa Oyewumi, Assistant Director at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), underscored the role of technology in disaster management.
“We monitor major rivers, especially the transboundary rivers Niger and Benue, using space-based data. This enables us to provide risk information ahead of floods,” Oyewumi said.
He commended the Red Cross for the initiative, describing it as a practical way to build resilience and sensitise rural dwellers on flood preparedness.
Some community members, including Abubakar Aliyu and Daniel Ayuba, expressed gratitude to NRCS, saying the exercise had given them valuable knowledge on how to stay safe during floods.
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