The Justice, Development and Peace Caritas, JDPC, Onitsha, has solicited the partnership and support of the State Emergency Management Agency, (SEMA) in the execution of its Flood Risk Reduction and Management Project, funded by Catholic Relief Services in Ogbaru Local Government Area.
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
JDPC Executive Director, Rev. Fr. Edwin Udoye, who made the appeal during an advocacy visit to the Executive Secretary of SEMA, Chief Paul Odenigbo, noted that SEMA’s involvement would provide essential technical, logistical, and operational support needed to effectively address flood vulnerabilities and foster resilience across the communities.
Represented by the Project Lead, Shadrach Nwaekeagu, the Director explained that the project will be carried out in 12 out of the 16 communities in the flood-ravaged Ogbaru LGA.
“Flooding is a recurrent and increasingly severe issue for the riverine communities in Ogbaru LGA, leading to loss of life, displacement, destruction of property, and long-term economic and health impacts.
To address this, we have initiated the Flood Risk Reduction and Management Project, which focuses on proactive flood risk management, capacity-building, and emergency response preparedness”.
Fr. Udoye, who listed the goals of the project include: flood risk mitigation, community preparedness, monitoring and evaluation, identified collaboration with SEMA as essential for successful implementation of the project.
“Preliminary assessments have identified key areas of vulnerability. Initial community meetings and awareness sessions have been conducted, but further technical and logistical support is needed to ensure comprehensive coverage and sustainable impact.
According to him, SEMA’s technical expertise will be needed in developing and endorsing Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Action Plan, Early Warning Plan and Evacuation Plan, training and capacity building for community preparedness, joint public awareness campaigns, data sharing for real-time monitoring and long-term planning as well as ongoing monitoring and evaluation support.
At the end of the project, JDPC Onitsha hopes to reduce flood-related losses, build local resilience as well as improve state-level emergency response.
“Our request for partnership with SEMA is rooted in a shared vision of safeguarding Ogbaru’s vulnerable communities from the devastating impacts of flooding.
“By pooling resources and expertise, we can build a resilient Ogbaru LGA where communities are better equipped to handle floods and minimize risk to lives and property. We initially wanted this project in Ogbaru, Anambra East and West LGAs, but at the point of signing the contract, we were asked to focus on only Ogbaru for maximum impact.
For the 12 communities, we will further set up community emergency management committees with members resident in the project communities to be able to continue even when we are no longer there. We must have built their capacity to be able to manage incident of flood.
Responding, SEMA’s Executive Director, Chief Paul Odenigbo, welcomed the intervention by JDPC Onitsha, which he described as a boost to government efforts, even as he advocated for similar attention to Anambra West LGA, which according to him is totally vulnerable to flooding.
“You have spoken very eloquently about what you are doing. We are glad and we will give you all the support you need because you are trying to do is a very laudable and for the interest of the state. But, if I may ask, why did you reduce to one local government?
“Please, tell your funders that I made a special request for Anambra West LGA. Each year there is heavy flooding, Anambra is usually entirely under water.
“That is why we don’t have any camp there because they have no upland there. So, if there is anything you can do to accommodate them, I will appreciate that so much.
“But on this project, any time you think that you need anything from us, whether our staff to join you or whatever you need, let us know, we will assist. We will give you all the support needed to succeed,” Odenigbo assured.
ANN gathered that the Flood Risk Reduction and Management Project is to be executed in Akili-Ogidi, Akili-Ozizo, Atani, Mputu, Obeagwe, Ochuche, Odekpe, Ohita, Ogbakuba, Ogwu Ikpele, Ossomala, and Umunankwo.
