Hazard Reduction Strategies for Flood Vulnerable Communities of Anambra State, Nigeria: Towards Sustainability

Type Journal Article - International Affairs and Global Strategy
Title Hazard Reduction Strategies for Flood Vulnerable Communities of Anambra State, Nigeria: Towards Sustainability
Author(s)
Volume 16
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
Page numbers 46-49
URL http://pakacademicsearch.com/pdf-files/art/447/46-49 Vol 16, No 1 (2013).pdf
Abstract
Anambra state was designated as the most acutely flood-affected state in Nigeria after the unprecedented flood
hazards of year-2012 which was seen as a national disaster in the history of the country. 57 communities in 8
local government areas of the state were affected. Reports has it that 7 million people were affected, 363 people
killed and 2.3 million fell victims of internal displacement and evacuated to the available 24Flood Refugee
Camps provide by government for Internally Displaced People. Federal, State and Local Governments spent
billions of naira on relief materials. International donor agencies like UNICEF, UN and EU as well as non
governmental organizations and philanthropists also supported the flood victims with relief materials worth
billions of naira. The flood has come and gone; leaving behind irreparable effects on the people and government.
Uncertainty, untold hardship and severe living condition are some of the resultant impact on the residents of the
affected areas who currently dwell in deplorable conditions. Major loses include human and animal lives;
agricultural products; housing, educational, health, transportation, commercial and other infrastructural facilities.
Family and social ties and activities were hampered while daily livelihood activities were disrupted, water
sources were polluted and the environment degraded thereby resulting to hunger, high cost of living and high
morbidity rate. This study seeks out sustainable strategies for enhancing the structure and mode of operations of
flood management agencies in Nigeria as a whole, and in the flood vulnerable communities of Anambra state in
particular. Secondary data from the records of national, state and local Emergency Management agency and
primary data through structure interview of the staff of the agencies used as respondents; were utilized.
Sustainably creating, reviewing and implementing, flood control and management policies while incorporating
public participation among other mitigation measures were recommended, towards ensuring social, economic
and environment empowerment of the people.

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