Abuja -The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has called on stakeholders to develop a comprehensive legal framework on disaster law and risk reduction in Nigeria.
Ms Emebet Negussie, Disaster Law Programme Officer, IFRC, made the appeal on Thursday in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a workshop on disaster management.
She said there was need for collaboration and proper coordination of various stakeholders in strengthening the existing policies and legislation of disaster risk management already in place in Nigeria.
“Collaboration and coordination on disaster laws from various stakeholders needs to be more effective which should be mainly the responsibility of national societies,’’ she said.
She also advised relevant authorities to prioritise disaster risk management and reduction in its legislation, adding that it focuses on emergency responses to natural hazard, early warnings and recovery.
Negussie said that such disaster laws would further help in the common regulatory problems encountered in international disaster relief operations.
On her part, Mrs Altilina Simon, Deputy Disaster Management Coordinator, NRCS, said the disaster response law was an integral part of making change in disaster risk reduction in Nigeria.
“The magnitude, frequency and scale of natural disaster has increased in recent years in Africa, when disaster strikes, communities still remain vulnerable and predisposed to subsequent attacks,’’ Simon said.
She said government needs to allocate sufficient resources for disaster risk reduction as well as take proactive measures in order to mitigate the impact and effect of disaster on people and communities.
Simon said disaster risk reduction should be prioritised at the national, state and local communities to save lives and properties.
She also urged the government and relevant authorities on the need to educate and inform the public on disaster prevention and control measures.
Simon called for community engagement and participation, especially the most vulnerable, women and special need groups. (NAN)