Stakeholders from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Civil Society Organizations, Youth Networks, Community Representatives, Development Partners, and the Private Sector in Akwa Ibom State have adopted the State’s Disaster Risk Management and Emergency Response Framework as a participatory and inclusive instrument for guiding disaster preparedness, response, and resilience in the State.
They stressed that the policy framework offers a comprehensive, inclusive and actionable approach to disaster risk reduction and emergency response.
Adopting the draft over the weekend at the end of a Review and Validation meeting on Disaster Risk Management and Emergency Response Framework in Uyo, the stakeholders noted that Disaster Risk Management requires a proactive, coordinated, and inclusive framework that ensures preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience-building.
The stakeholders observed that Akwa Ibom faces multiple hazards including flooding, coastal erosion, oil spills, fire outbreaks, building collapses, and communal conflicts, which continue to threaten lives and livelihoods, adding that the framework would ensure the state transits from a reactive to a proactive and resilient disaster management system.
They announced that the validated draft will be forwarded to the Akwa Ibom State Executive Council through the Ministry of Environment and SEMA for formal approval and adoption as state policy.
The communique issued read in parts, “We hereby adopt the Draft Akwa Ibom State Disaster Risk Management and Emergency Response Framework as a participatory and inclusive instrument for guiding disaster preparedness, response, and resilience in the State, acknowledging the leadership role of young people and the active contributions of stakeholders in shaping the framework.
Stakeholders identified the need for a centralized digital database on disaster risk management considering the fact that Akwa Ibom State is confronted with significant disaster risks arising from its coastal geography, oil industry activities and the rapid urbanization.
They also committed to supporting the domestication, institutionalization, and implementation of the framework in our respective spheres of influence.”
The stakeholders disclosed that young people, through a participatory and consultative process, initiated and led the drafting of the Disaster Risk Management and Emergency Response Framework, reflecting the aspiration and realities of communities across the State.
They also harped on the need for a comprehensive database on disaster risk management in the state.
