Kogi Non-Governmental Organisations Network (KONGONET) on Monday said it would partner the state government to develop a Humanitarian Response Plan for flood victims across the state under its ‘Support in Disaster programme.’
Mr Victor Adejoh, Chairman of the network, disclosed this in Lokoja.
He said the network had brainstormed and concluded that an integrated approach to disaster management would be the best option to manage the natural disaster.
Adejoh commended the proactive actions of the state government in mitigating the impact of flood through the Ministry of Environment and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
He, however, added that there was the need for a state emergency and recovery plan to guide the intervention management process in assisting the victims.
“While KONGONET shall make available a copy of a draft humanitarian plan prepared for the state after 2012 flood, we must help the good people of Kogi overcome this trying time,” said Adejoh.
He said households, farmlands and business premises had been overrun and submerged by flood with the attendant consequences of imminent food insecurity, collapse of businesses and health risks.
“We should go beyond support to IDP camps and household fumigations to recovery of farmlands and adequate support for dry season farming to mitigate the impending food insecurity,” he said.
The NGOs network chairman called on Nigerians to volunteer to work with the network to ameliorate the sufferings and hardships of victims of flood.
Adejoh revealed that the network had set up a committee to work with government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to develop or review the Humanitarian Response Plan for the State.
According to him, the committee to be chaired by Ms Eunice Abimbola, Vice Chairman of KONGONET will also ensure transparency and harmony in all response initiatives in respect of the flood disaster.
He said the committee would also monitor all interventions and ensure that they were in line with global best practices, underpinning gender and children welfare.
The committee is also mandated to do a weekly press briefing on the situation of flood in the state, especially as it affects poor households and vulnerable communities.
(NAN)
