29 people have lost their lives and 56 injured due to flooding and other environmental hazards from January 2021 to date.
The Executive Secretary of the Kano state emergency management agency (KASEMA),Dr. Saleh Jili made the disclosure while briefing newsmen to commemorate international day for disaster risk reduction held in kano.
According to him 14, 244 houses were destroyed across the state in the year under review compared to the year 2020 where 57,362 house were washed away by flooding.
Dr. Saleh Jili explained that out of those who lost their lives Doguwa local government area had the highest number of deaths as 19 people were affected by flooding on their way back from the market during a heavy storm.
The Executive Secretary attributed the reduction in the number of disasters due to rigorous sensitization campaigns and advocacy visits by the Kano state emergency management agency to the public and relevant stakeholders.
” In an attempt to conform with the International best Practice,the federal government developed a National disaster management framework (NDMF) in 2005,which requires the establishment of emergency management structures in all the three tiers of Government”
He maintained that KASEMA has been working assidously in collaboration with National Emergency management agency (NEMA), state disaster management committee, public education and enlightenment campaigns as well as the recently established local emergency management committees across the 44 local governments of the state to minimize disaster occurance.
The Executive Secretary pointed out that the United Nations general assembly had set aside 13th October as a day for people and communities around the world to celebrate on reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness to the risks they are confronted with.
He charged the general public to maintain safety at all times and desist from any act capable of exposing them to disasters as the situation could lead to economic recession, loss of lives, properties and commended the media for their tireless and relentless efforts in ensuring that members of the public are adequately informed.
” In 2016 the UN General Assembly launched the Sendai seven campaign to promote each of the seven targets over seven years to mitigate disaster”
The Executive Secretary reaffirmed the state government’s readiness in the provision of infrastructures, security, free and compulsory education, quality healthcare delivery and mapping out policies aimed at upgrading the lives of it’s citizens.
The International day for disaster risk reduction 2021 themed: INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO REDUCE DISASTER RISK AND. DISASTER LOSSES”
was celebrated across the world with host of activities.
KHADIJAH ALIYU, KANO