By Meletus EZE
The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) with support of an NGO, Christian Aid, on Monday held a one day sensitization and simulation exercise on appropriate response during fire and flood emergencies.
During the event held within Bashama community in Kaduna, Executive Secretary of the agency, Ben Kure, said the aim was to develop local disaster response capacity.
Kure who was represented by Mubarak Ibrahim of Relief and Disaster Management unit of the agency, said that the simulation exercise was in line with the agency’s preparedness and response strategies.
He said that the exercise was also aimed at increasing synergy among response agencies in the state.
He said that the objective was to ensure that communities, especially first responders are fit, ready and able to provide prompt professional services meant to reduce casualties during fire incidents.
“We know that disaster management is demanding and requires a lot of determination and commitment to accomplish.
“Therefore, we must understand the various roles support agencies ought to play in managing disaster and building community resilience” he said.
Emmanuel Danjuma, Programme Officer Disaster Management and Peace Building, Christian Aid, said the exercise would create required skills and resilience for people of the community to provide rescue in emergencies.
He said the exercise was targeted at nine communities in three Local governments Area’s of Kaduna North, South and Chikun.
He mentioned the communities as Ungwar Rimi, Malali, Rafinguza and Haliru Dantoro community in Kaduna North; Romi, Nasarawa in Chikun, and Baranawa and Tudun wada in Kaduna South.
Danjuma said the sensitization and simulation exercise was in line with the European Commission Humanitarian Office (ECHO) as part project of early Warning for Early Response (EWER) initiative.
He assured that the centre will continue to sensitize communities to ensure that safety becomes a culture among residents and this will, in turn, reduce to the barest minimum accidents at home.
TBI Africa and NAN reports that the event was graced by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kaduna State Fire Service, Red Cross, NGOs, and traditional rulers, among others.
