THEMATIC AREA 1
INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT
2.0 Introduction:
This thematic area mandates the establishment of Disaster Management structures at all levels of governance (federal, states and local) in Nigeria. It centres on the principles of shared responsibility and the need to ensure proper integration and collaboration among stakeholders. There shall be National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the Federal level, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) at the state level, and Local Emergency Management Authority (LEMA) at the local government level. This to a large extent shall strengthen the capabilities of Federal, State and Local Governments to reduce the likelihood and severity of disasters.
Every tier of government shall build the capacity of their emergency management institution to prepare for, prevent against, respond to and recover from disaster events. Federal State and Local Government, relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the military, police, para-military and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) shall develop their capacities in disaster management. Community institutions shall acquire disaster management capabilities as first responders, and Emergency Management Volunteers (EMV) shall be established to compliment the organised structures. Disaster Response Units (DRUs) shall be established in different military formations across the country to provide assistance to civil authority during emergencies.
2.1 Objectives:
This thematic area shall have the following objectives:
- Establish functional disaster management institutions at all levels of governance to prepare for, prevent, mitigate, respond to and recover from disaster events in Nigeria.
- Develop capacity of relevant institutions and stakeholders for effective and efficient disaster management in Nigeria.
2.2 Legislation for Disaster Management Structures in Nigeria.
Disaster Managementy structures shall be backed-up by an enabling law at all levels of government. This enabling laws shall, amongst other things, specify roles and responsbilities, membership of its Councils, leadership tenure and other incidental or ancillary matters.
2.2.1 Roles of the Federal Government in Disaster Management
The Federal Government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) shall by this policy perform the following disaster management functions:
- Formulate policy on all activities relating to disaster management in Nigeria;
- Coordinate the activities of other stakeholders in Disaster Management.
- Co-ordinate plans and programmes for efficient and effective response to disasters in the country;
- Co-ordinate and promote research activities relating to disaster management in the country;
- Monitor the state of preparedness of all organizations and agencies which may contribute to disaster management in Nigeria;
- Collate data and report from relevant agencies to enhance forecasting, planning and field operations of disaster management;
- Educate the public on disaster prevention and control measures;
- Co-ordinate and facilitate the provision of necessary resources for search and rescue and other types of disaster curtailment activities;
- Co-ordinate and support the activities of non-governmental organizations and development partners engaged in disaster management in the country.
- Mobilize financial and technical resources from private sector, international non-governmental organisations and development partners for the purpose of disaster management in Nigeria;
- Collect emergency relief materials or supplies from local, international and non-governmental agencies for distribution to the people affected by disaster;
- Work closely with SEMA and LEMA to assess and monitor where necessary the distribution of relief materials to disaster survivors and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), refugees, and those adversely affected by mass deportation and repatriation from any other country as a result of crises, disasters or foreign policies;
- Assist in the rehabilitation of survivors, IDPs and refugees where necessary, and those adversely affected by mass deportation and repatriation from any other country as a result of crises, disasters or foreign policies;
- Prepare the annual budget for disaster management in Nigeria;
- Process relief assistance to such countries that have experienced disaster as may be determined by the Federal Government of Nigeria from time to time;
- Foster strong working relationship with all relevant National and International Agencies including the United Nations institutions for the reduction of disasters.
- Facilitate the establishment of enabling legislation and monitor the activities of State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Local Emergency Management Authority (LEMA).
- Perform such other functions which, in the opinion of the Governing Council are required for the purpose of enhancing effective disaster management in Nigeria.
2.2.2 The Roles of State Governments in Disaster Management
All States in the Federation shall ensure the establishment of a body to be known as State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) backed up by State Legislation.
The legislation, shall include provisions that will ensure that Local Governments in the State also establish authorities with similar functions. The state legislation shall among other things make provisions for the following:
- Establish in the state, a body to be known as the State Emergency Management Agency, hereinafter refered to as SEMA
- SEMA –
- shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession
- May sue and be sued in its corporate name.
- There shall also be established for the management of SEMA, a Governing Council, hereinafter referred to as “the Council”. The Council shall consist of –
- The Deputy Governor of the State, who shall be the Chairman,
- The Secretary to the State Government,
One representative each from:-
- The State Ministry of Agriculture
- The State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development,
- The State Ministry of Health,
- The State Ministry of Information,
- The State Ministry of Education,
- The State Ministry of Works,
- The State Ministry of Water Resources,
- The State Fire Service,
- The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria in the State,
- The State Ministry of Environment,
- The State Ministry of Urban and Regional Planning/ Lands and Survey
- The State Ministry of Justice
- The State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs
- The Disaster Response Unit (DRU) within the State/geo political zone
- The Nigeria Police Force,
- The Federal Road Safety Corps,
- Directorate of Road Traffic Services
- The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
- The Nigerian Red Cross Society,
- The State Ministry of Finance,
- The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency in coastal States,
- National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA).
- Such institutions/voluntary organization as may be determined from time to time by the Council, and
- The Head of the State Emergency Management Agency as Member/Secretary.
d. The State Government through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) shall by this policy perform the following disaster management functions:-
- Formulate policy on all activities relating to disaster management in the state;
- Co-ordinate plans and programmes for efficient and effective response to disasters in the State;
- Co-ordinate and promote research activities relating to disaster management in the State;
- Monitor and provide feedback to NEMA on the state of preparedness of all organizations and agencies which may contribute to disaster management within the State;
- Collate data and report from relevant agencies in the state so as to enhance forecasting, planning and field operations of disaster management, and supply same to NEMA for planning purposes.
- Educate the public on disaster prevention and control measures within the state;
- Co-ordinate and facilitate the provision of necessary resources for search and rescue operations and other types of disaster curtailment activities within the state;
- Mobilize support and resources from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) when damages and need assessments are considered beyond the capacity of the state to respond,
- Facilitate the enabling legislation for the establishment of Local Emergency Management Authority (LEMA) for all the Local Governments in the state.
- Work closely with LEMA for distribution of relief materials to disaster vicitims;
- Perform such other functions which, in the opinion of SEMA Governing Council are required for the purpose of enhancing disaster management in the state.
2.2.3 The Roles of Local Governments in Disaster Management
The Local Government shall put in place a legislation establishing a disaster management body to be known as the Local Emergency Management Authority, hereinafter referred to as LEMA.
LEMA:-
(a) Shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession
(b) May sue and be sued in its corporate name.
There shall also be established for the management of LEMA, a Local Emergency Management Committee hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”.
The Committee shall consist of –
(i) The Vice - Chairman of the Local Government Council, who shall be the Chairman,
(ii) The Secretary to the Local Government,
(iii) Department of Works,
(iv) Department of Agriculture,
(v) Local Government Education Authority,
(vi) Department of Health,
(vii) Local Government Traditional Council,
(viii) Local Government Information Unit,
(ix) Department of Social Development and Mobilisation,
(x) Department of Physical Planning
(xi) A representative of the Disaster Response Unit (DRU), responsible for the Local
Government.
(xii) The Divisional Police Officer
(xiii) The Medical Director in charge of any government hospital within the local government or his equivalent;
One representative each from:-
(xiv) The Federal Road Safety Corps
(xv) The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
(xvi) The Nigerian Red Cross Society
(xvii) The Fire Service
(xviii) National Orientation Agency
(xix) Any such voluntary organization as may be determined from time to time; and
(xx) The Head of the Local Government Emergency Management Agency (LEMA) as Member/ Secretary.
The Local Government through the Local Emergency Management Authority (LEMA) shall by this policy perform the following disaster management functions:-
(i) Coordinate disaster management activities and respond to disaster events in Local Government area.
(ii) Monitor and provide feedback to SEMA on the status of preparedness of all organizations and agencies which may contribute to disaster management within the Local Government Area.
(iii) Collect and collate data on disaster and disaster risk areas in their respective Local Governments, and share same with SEMA.
(iv) Mobilize support and resources from the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) when damages and need assessments are considered beyond the capacity of the Local Government to respond.
(v) Establish and develop Disaster Management capacity of community structures.
2.2.4 Tenure, Remuneration and Conditions of Service of Disaster Management Institutions.
The Head of NEMA, shall hold office for four years in the first instance which may be renewed for another term of four years only, on such terms and conditions as may be specified in the letter of appointment. The tenure and conditions of service for heads of SEMA and LEMA shall be determined by the state Legislation.
2.3 Communities in Disaster Management.
The community structures (Neighbourhood associations, schools, Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Faith Based Organisations (FBOs), Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) etc.) shall be established, properly sensitized, mobilized and empowered to actively participate in Disaster Management activities by LEMA, with support from SEMA and NEMA.
2.3.1 Roles of Communities in Disaster Management
Community structures shall perform the following functions in disaster management:-
- Ensure commitment and preparedness of community members to disaster management.
- Sensitize and build the capacity of communities that constitute disaster fronts in preparation for initial response to disaster threats.
- Mobilize community resources and build community capacity and resilience to prepare for, respond to and mitigate the impact of disasters.
2.3.2 Community Strategies for Disaster Management
With technical support from LEMA, SEMA and NEMA, community structures shall adopt (among other things) the following disaster management strategies:
i. Ensure active participation in the preparation and implementation of Disaster Management Plans
ii. Create awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Early Warning Systems (EWS).
iii. Train and re- train on Basic First Aid skills.
iv. Adapt disaster management strategies to meet local needs and peculiarities.
v. Encourage community paticipation in activities that will enhance
environmental changes and adaptations.
2.4 Disaster Response Units (DRUs) in Disaster Management
DRUs shall be assigned in designated military formations located across the Country by the Defence headquarters and Ministry of Defence. They shall have the mandate of providing specialized services in humanitarian assistance during disasters as may be requested by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in line with established Guidelines for Call-out of the Armed Forces in Aid to Civil Authorities. The DRUs shall work closely with NEMA and SEMA of the disaster affected state.
2.4.1 Roles of DRUs in Disaster Management
Amongst other things, the DRUs shall perform the following functions in disaster management:-
- Provision of infrastructural support (communications, technical equipment and manpower) for command and control.
- Search & Rescue and relief operations at disaster sites.
- Provision of medical care at the incident site and evacuation of casualties.
- Render fire fighting services in conjuction with fire service institutions
- Render logistics support for transportation.
- Setting up and running of relief camps when necessary.
- Openning of routes and construction/repair of roads and bridges to enable relief teams/materials to reach affected areas.
- Repair, maintain and run essential services especially at the initial stages of Disaster Occurence.
- Assist in evacuation of people to safer places before and after the disaster.
- Provide escorts for men, material and security of installations.
- Assist in the management and handling of International relief, if requested by the civil administration.
- Provide psychological counselling to the people affected by the disaster.
- Provide security for people and property within the area affected by disaster.
- Any other activity that will enhance effective disaster management in the country.
2.5 Volunteers in Disaster Management
Volunteers in Disaster Management shall be individuals or groups with specialized or basic training in different areas of disaster management. Volunteerism refers to rendering of time, skills, experience or resources for the advancement of disaster management. They shall be established by NEMA, SEMA and LEMA to tap into the huge knowldege and experiences of specialised skills of persoonnel living or working in the country.
2.5.1 Roles of Volunteers in Disaster Management
Volunteers in disaster management shall perform the following functions, amongst others:-
- Assist in search and rescue operations in case of disaster.
- Function as emergency personnel that can render specialised assistance to disaster survivors.
- Give useful information of places prone to both human-induced and natural disasters.
- Partake in simulation exercises.
- Help in direct distribution of releif materials in emergency situations.
- Take part in activities that will lead to disaster risk reduction measures in the community.
Volunteers shall perform their duties in an organized manner and under the supervision of and guidance of NEMA, SEMA and LEMA in preparing for, preventing and responding to disasters. They shall be atleast trained in Basic Life Support, disaster preparedness and response, relief, prevention, mitigation, contingency planning, recovery, capacity assessment, water and sanitation.
2.6 Guidelines and Documents to be disseminated
- NEMA Establishment Act
- SEMA Law of Establishment
- LEMA Bye-Law of Establishment
- Guidelines for Call Out Of the Members of the Armed Forces in Aid to Civil Authorit
- Volunteer Administration Guide.