NEMA Expands Relief Across Taraba Communities

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has expanded its humanitarian response in Taraba State, providing relief materials to victims of communal clashes, floods and windstorms across 23 communities in five local government areas. The intervention was carried out in partnership with the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA) to support affected families and strengthen disaster relief efforts.

The exercise covered communities in Kurmi, Takum, Zing, Jalingo and Bali local government areas. In Takum, about 300 households displaced by communal clashes in Chanchangi, Yamma, Kufai Amadu, Mamie Market, Rubar and Sufa received food and essential household items. The relief package included rice, maize, spaghetti, vegetable oil, tomato paste, iodised salt, seasoning cubes, mats, wax prints and guinea brocade fabrics.

The NEMA and TSEMA team also distributed assistance to victims of rainstorms and windstorms in Zing A, Zing B, Sabon Peggi, Monkin A, Monkin B, Bitako, Bubong and Yakoko communities. In Jalingo, families affected by floods in Jolly Nyame Garden City, Green Beach, Mayo Dassa, behind Excellent Academy, Mayogwoi, Nasarawo Culvert and Nunkai also received relief materials.

In Kurmi Local Government Area, residents of Bissaulla affected by a recent communal clash benefited from the intervention. The joint delegation, led by Malut Adam Hussain, who represented NEMA Director-General Hajiya Zubaida Umar, conveyed the Federal Government’s sympathy to affected families and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting victims of disasters and conflicts.

Head of NEMA’s Yola Operations Office, Mr Ladan Ayuba, assured residents of continued assistance and encouraged communities to adopt stronger disaster preparedness measures to reduce future flood risks. The Executive Secretary of TSEMA, Dr Echuseh Audu, represented by Mr Sani Maisukwati, praised NEMA for its prompt response and commended Governor Agbu Kefas for supporting the swift delivery of relief materials.

The agency also assessed windstorm damage in Suntai, Bali Local Government Area, before distributing assistance to affected households. “This was during the post-flood intervention, where our assessment team inspected damaged houses and property before distributing the relief items to affected households,” she said.

The Tii of Suntai, HRH Dauda Haruna Umaru, and village head Mr Peter Makwa Matsayi welcomed the intervention, saying the support would help families recover from their losses and ease the hardship caused by the disasters. The agencies added that the exercise highlighted the continued partnership between the Federal Government and the Taraba State Government in improving disaster relief and emergency response across the state.

How important do you think stronger disaster preparedness is in reducing the impact of floods and communal crises in vulnerable communities?