Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Nigerian government says disaster risk reduction could help adaptation to climate change

Mam Ndegene Secka in Today (Nigeria): Madam Fatou Jasseh- Kuyateh, permanent secretary, Office of the Vice President has said that disaster risk reduction is a front line tool for climate change adaptation, noting that it is an intrinsic part of adaptation to climate change, therefore any discussion on climate change adaptation without reference to DRR would be incomplete.

She said this yesterday, while delivering the opening statement at a three-day orientation and capacity development forum for Regional and Municipal Disaster Management Committees on emergency flood preparedness and response, held at the National Nutrition Agency (NaNA) Conference Hall. The programme was organized by the National Disaster Management Agency and funded by the United Nations Development Fund (UNDP).

According to Madam Jasseh- Kuyateh, it is important that all staff of the National Disaster Management Agency embrace a more strategic and results-oriented framework, adding that the Agency has important responsibilities to undertake and the quality and dedication of its staff are important preconditions for effectiveness, efficiency and impact on the disaster management interventions.

In addition to the development of key competencies for emergency flood management and response, Madam Jasseh- Kuyateh emphasized the need for operational efficiency through effective coordination, proper disaster impact assessment and most importantly on report writing.

…She added that the important role of communities in any disaster management programme can also not be overemphasized, noting that the communities are often at the forefront when it comes to matters of disaster management. She said that identifying community vulnerabilities and undertaking community-based disaster risk reduction are the surest ways to guarantee sustainability of disaster management interventions. According to her, this will also serve to reinforce Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) gains at the local level….

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