NEMA DG Commends USAID for Building Capacity Of NEMA, SEMA Staff On Disaster Management

Director General National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Habib Ahmed, has expressed his appreciation to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for organizing a Capacity Building Programme in partnership with his agency.

This commendation came during the official launch of the workshop held at Frazier Suites in Abuja.

The primary goal of this initiative is to impart essential knowledge about Basic/Intermediate Incident Command System (ICS) and Emergency Operations Center (EOC) procedures, aiming to establish a standardized disaster management coordination system.

Given the increasing frequency and severity of disasters worldwide, effective coordination during emergencies is of paramount importance. The programme aims to equip NEMA and SEMA personnel with the necessary skills to streamline disaster response efforts.

Participants have the opportunity to gain insights into incident command structures, resource allocation, and decision-making processes within ICS.

During his opening speech, the Director General, NEMA underscored the significance of training and the pivotal role of EOCs in coordinating multi-agency responses.

He explained that participants will receive training on how to design, set up, and efficiently operate EOCs, ensuring well-organized and timely disaster management.

In his remarks, the head of the USAID Technical team, Mr Brehan Doud commended NEMA for partnering with USAID in organizing such a programme to enhance the capacity of disaster managers across Nigeria

He noted that this capacity-building program, by promoting a shared understanding of ICS and EOC principles, represents a significant stride toward enhancing Nigeria’s disaster response capabilities.

He said: “It would not only strengthen the abilities of local agencies to handle emergencies but also encourage cooperation and interoperability among diverse stakeholders. Ultimately, this initiative reflects USAID’s unwavering commitment to advancing global resilience and disaster preparedness.”