NEMA Develops National Policy for Disaster Relief in Nigeria

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced the process of developing a national policy for disaster relief and rehabilitation interventions in Nigeria. This initiative aims to address the existing coordination gaps in disaster response and strengthen the country's framework for relief, rehabilitation, and recovery.

Zubaida Umar, the Director General of NEMA, stated that the need for a comprehensive national policy has become increasingly urgent due to Nigeria's experience with frequent and complex disasters. The agency has initiated the development of this policy to establish a clear framework for planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating relief and rehabilitation efforts nationwide.

A preparatory stakeholder meeting was convened in January 2026 to gather preliminary input from key partners and relevant institutions. The World Bank's Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Franci Nkunku, emphasized the importance of this policy in enhancing Nigeria's disaster risk management framework, particularly in light of increasing disaster frequency driven by climate change and urbanization.