Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Red Cross Society has intensified efforts to mitigate the impact of flooding in Kebbi State by training 72 members of Flood Rapid Response Teams drawn from six flood-prone local government areas, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen community preparedness and reduce the devastating effects of seasonal floods. The two-week intensive training, held in Birnin Kebbi, equipped participants with skills in emergency flood response, disaster preparedness, early warning systems, search and rescue, and community coordination to enhance resilience before, during, and after flood emergencies.
Speaking on the initiative, the Red Cross Disaster Management Officer, Mrs. Nwoacha Charity Ekeoma, disclosed that 12 participants were selected from each of the six benefiting local government areas: Shanga, Yauri, Koko/Besse, Argungu, Ngaski, and Bagudo. She explained that the trainees were equipped with practical skills to respond effectively before, during, and after flooding, while river water gauges were distributed to enable them to monitor water levels and provide early warnings to communities at risk. The initiative, she said, is aimed at reducing the impact of floods on vulnerable communities and strengthening early warning systems.
Ekeoma further noted that the emergency response teams comprise directors of social services in the participating local government areas, personnel of the Federal Fire Service, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Red Cross volunteers working together to ensure swift and coordinated emergency response. The training was followed by a stakeholders’ meeting aimed at validating response strategies and strengthening collaboration between the Nigerian Red Cross, the Kebbi State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, security agencies, and other partners on sustainable flood preparedness measures. The meeting, held at Shagalinku Hotel in Birnin Kebbi, was attended by representatives of persons with disabilities, members of the Nigerian Red Cross, security agencies, government representatives, and other stakeholders.
The training comes amid warnings from the National Emergency Management Agency that 12 local government areas in Kebbi State are at risk of severe flooding during the 2026 rainy season. The Red Cross initiative is expected to enhance community resilience, improve early warning and emergency response systems, and ultimately reduce the loss of lives and property during the 2026 flood season in Kebbi State. As the rainy season intensifies, the deployment of trained rapid response teams and river water gauges represents a critical step in building local capacity to anticipate and respond to flood emergencies, potentially saving countless lives and livelihoods in one of Nigeria's most flood-prone states.
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