🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
NEMA develops national policy for disaster relief and rehabilitation
via Punch Nigeria5 min read
The National Emergency Management Agency NEMA has begun developing a National Policy for Relief and Rehabilitation Intervention to address coordination gaps in disaster response and strengthen Nigeria’s framework for relief, rehabilitation, and recovery. NEMA Director-General, Zubaida Umar, stated that the policy is crucial due to Nigeria's increasing frequency and complexity of disasters. The agency initiated the policy to establish a clear framework for planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating interventions nationwide. A preparatory stakeholders' meeting was held in January 2026 to gather initial inputs. The World Bank’s Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Francis Nkoka, noted the policy's timeliness given rising disasters from climate change, urbanization, and environmental degradation, emphasizing its role in guiding the transition from relief to long-term resilience. He stressed that the policy should promote coordinated, inclusive, and accountable interventions, helping communities recover and be better prepared for future shocks. Stakeholder Abdullahi Usur highlighted that the proposed policy would provide comprehensive support for disaster victims, including livelihood restoration, infrastructure, social services, and housing, while prioritizing vulnerable groups. It also aims to define activation thresholds, establish standard timelines, set minimum intervention standards, clarify responsibilities, strengthen coordination, enhance transparency, an
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
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