In a decisive move to strengthen disaster preparedness across Yobe State, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a three-day capacity-building training on Emergency Preparedness and Response Planning (EPRP) for key Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The training, which began this week in Damaturu, brought together 85 participants from 36 MDAs. It is aimed at improving the state’s ability to plan for and respond effectively to emergencies such as floods, disease outbreaks, and other humanitarian crises.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, officials from SEMA and UNICEF emphasized the importance of coordinated, multi-sectoral planning in reducing disaster risks and protecting vulnerable populations. The program includes technical sessions, group exercises, and strategy development workshops led by experts in emergency management.
One of the highlights of the training was a pro bono interactive session by Associate Professor Ahmed Adamu, who guided participants through key factors in disaster risk reduction and emergency planning.
“The goal is to ensure that every agency involved in emergency response has a clear, actionable plan tailored to its sector. This way, Yobe State can respond more swiftly and efficiently when disaster strikes,” said a representative from UNICEF.
By the end of the training, the state expects to have:
- Strengthened institutional emergency systems;
- Improved coordination between SEMA, UNICEF, and participating MDAs;
- A more robust framework for responding to future emergencies.
This initiative is part of an ongoing series of interventions by UNICEF to support Yobe State’s disaster risk management agenda. Similar trainings are scheduled to take place in high-risk Local Government Areas, selected based on seasonal forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
Yobe has been identified as particularly vulnerable to climate-related emergencies, including flooding and food insecurity. Authorities hope that initiatives like this will significantly reduce the impact of such disasters on communities.
