Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has commenced the distribution of food, non-food items and building materials provided by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to residents affected by flood and windstorm disasters in the state in 2025.
The distribution exercise took place at the State Ministry of Humanitarian and Relief Matters held in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
According to the governor, communities affected by the disasters are located in Shinkafi, Zurmi, Birnin Magaji, Talata Mafara, Anka, Gumi, Maru, Maradun, and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas, where homes, farmlands, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure suffered damage.
Governor Lawal described the intervention as more than the distribution of relief materials, stressing that, it represents the compassion, and collective responsibility of government to citizens during challenging times.
He expressed profound appreciation to NEMA under the leadership of its Director-General, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, for the timely assessment conducted by the Sokoto Operations Office and the approval of relief materials as federal government support to the affected communities.
The governor explained that the items—comprising food supplies, essential household materials, and building support items would help cushion the immediate hardship faced by victims and support early recovery efforts.
Governor Lawal further reaffirmed the Zamfara State Government’s commitment to ensure transparent and effective distribution of the materials, stressing that, disaster management is most effective through strong collaboration between the federal and state governments.
He also emphasized the need to strengthen disaster preparedness, early warning systems, environmental management, and community resilience, noting that climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent and severe.
The governor urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items and called on community leaders and local government officials to support a peaceful, orderly, and transparent distribution process. He thereafter formally declared the distribution exercise open.
Earlier, the Director-General of NEMA, Hajiya Zubaida Umar, represented by the Head of NEMA Sokoto Operations Office, Alhaji Aliyu Shehu Kafindangi said the intervention underscored the federal government’s commitment to alleviating the suffering of disaster-affected populations and restoring hope to affected communities.
She explained that, NEMA, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, carried out rapid assessments to determine the extent of damage and immediate needs of affected areas, which led to the approval and release of relief materials by the federal government.
According to her, the relief items are intended to provide immediate support and stabilize the living conditions of victims while longer-term recovery efforts continue.
The NEMA Director-General commended the Zamfara State Government for its proactive collaboration and commitment to effective disaster management, described the synergy between NEMA, state authorities, traditional institutions, security agencies, and humanitarian partners as exemplary.
She warned that the relief materials were not for sale and must be distributed strictly.
Hajiya Zubaida Umar further urged residents to heed early warning messages, avoid high-risk areas, and cooperate with relevant authorities to reduce the impact of disasters, while reaffirming NEMA’s commitment to supporting Zamfara State in strengthening disaster preparedness, response, and recovery mechanisms.
The food items are 700 bags of rice 25kg, 700 bags of maize 25kg, 700 cartoons of spaghetti, 70 cartoons of vegetables oil, 700 pieces of blanket, 700 pieces of wax prints, 300 pieces of mattresses among others.
Others are 600 bags of cement 50kg, 350 bundles of roofing sheets, 80 packet of zink nail and 80 bags 3inch nail
Ealier, Zamfara State Commissioner for Humanitarian, Salisu Tsafe said the recent floods and windstorm had caused significant hardship to many households, distrusting livelihoods and destroying properties.
According to the support for NEMA demonstrated the strength of Federal and State Government Collaboration and their collective resolved to ensure that no affected citizens is left behind.
Beneficiaries commended NEMA and Zamfara State Government for the support.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
