Media briefing on the formation of a National Coalition on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction which took place virtually on the 2nd September, 2020.
The Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria (CRUDAN) has on the 2nd September, 2020 formed a National Coalition on Disaster Risk Reduction to contribute to the reduction of socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster and deal with the environmental risks and other hazards across the country. The formation of the coalition was occasioned by the poor disaster risk perception, preparedness and response, poor environmental management and increasing negative impact of climate change in Nigeria. Poor policy framework for disaster and environmental management, weak institutional capacity at national and community levels for disaster response coupled with inadequate funding for disaster management and climate change interventions in Nigeria have aggravated the situation across Nigeria.
Prior to the formation of the National Coalition, there were Zonal coalitions that were formed across the geo-political zones of the country. The National Coalition comprises five members from each of the Zonal Coalition across the Zones. The National Coalition will work in collaboration with NEMA, SEMA and other relevant stakeholders. During the formal inauguration, the Zonal Coordinator of NEMA Northcentral zone, Mr. Eugene Nyelong expressed appreciation to CRUDAN for such initiative and pledged the support of the government for the body towards disaster risk reduction and climate change issues in the country. Members of the Coalitions were enjoined to embark of advocacy visits to relevant stakeholders, engage in public sensitization on activities that can reduce risks in the society and carry out community-based intervention through community mobilization in ensuring the safety of the society for all citizens.
CRUDAN is optimistic that the National Coalition will help the citizens to embrace initiatives that will reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities to disaster as well as dealing with the environmental and other hazards that trigger them towards saving lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity. It is also expected that through advocacy, policy makers will implement feasible DRR policies that are people-oriented. CRUDAN considers the coalition, a step-in-the-right-direction towards addressing the prevailing flooding, deforestation and other disasters ravaging several parts of Nigeria.
Present at the virtual inauguration were the representatives of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Northcentral zone, Mr. Eugene Nyelong and Mr. Moses Adegbe and CRUDAN; the Executive Director of CRUDAN, Mrs. Ruth Dul represented by the Deputy Executive Director, Rev. Daniel Makpu and the Director of Programmes for CRUDAN, Mr. Tobi Salawu and other staff of CRUDAN. Others were the members of the CRUDAN Zonal Coalitions from the South West, South East, North East, North West and North Central zones.
Tobi Salawu
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMES
CRUDAN HEADQUARTERS, JOS
PLATEAU STATE