By Isaac Atunlute
As climate patterns grow increasingly unpredictable, flood-prone communities in Kaduna State are preparing for the rainy season with more than just umbrellas. In a proactive move, the Kaduna State Government has established dedicated shelters as part of an early-response strategy to mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding.
This week, the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) rolled out seven safe centres across the state. The centres, which are stocked with tents, food, medicals, and other essential supplies, are targeted as temporary shelters for residents displaced by floods. This facility marks a departure from Nigeria’s historically reactive response towards disaster management.
“We have established seven safe haven centres with tents, food and non-food items, and essential supplies. They are prepared for the temporary resettlement of vulnerable groups,” Usman Hayatu Mazadu, KADSEMA’s executive secretary, announced in a stakeholders’ forum in the state.
The temporary shelters align with national efforts to improve early-warning systems and boost community-level preparedness in the face of climate-related disasters.
Collaborating with religious leaders, local chiefs, and other relevant stakeholders, KADSEMA has, in recent weeks, conducted sensitisation campaigns on evacuation procedures in vulnerable communities.
However, the strategy involves more than either public education or equipment.
Mazadu emphasised collective ownership and cooperation at the stakeholder forum: “Disaster preparedness is not the responsibility of one agency but the collective responsibility of all.”
Additionally, the agency is also engaging with various stakeholders to obtain feedback on their degree of readiness to handle floods.
These range from public agencies to first responders and even community organisations. The idea is to recognise gaps, harmonise strategies, and ensure that each of the participants is aware of its responsibility before any floodwaters arrive.
Despite persisting concerns such as poor infrastructure, under-investment, and environmental degradation, Kaduna’s forward-thinking approach presents a remarkable model for how local governments can act within their means to protect vulnerable populations.
It leverages early mobilisation of resources, real-time communication, and a clear evacuation plan, critical elements missing in Nigeria’s previous responses to flooding.
Whereas the safe centres do not solve for the bigger issues raised in urban planning, erosion control, or perilous weather associated with climate change, they do serve a critical function in safeguarding lives in the event of a crisis.
The coming months will test how well the system performs: how efficiently displaced residents are resettled, how well the centres are maintained, and how effectively communities and government agencies collaborate.
But one thing is clear: Kaduna is not waiting for disaster to strike before taking action–and that could make all the difference.
The Kaduna State Government is taking a proactive approach to combat seasonal flooding by setting up seven shelters across the state. Managed by the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA), these shelters include tents, food, medical supplies, and other essentials for residents displaced by floods. This initiative marks a shift from Nigeria's traditionally reactive disaster management practices to a more proactive strategy.
In efforts to boost preparedness, KADSEMA is also working with religious leaders, local chiefs, and stakeholders to educate communities on evacuation procedures and secure collective ownership of disaster preparedness responsibilities. The agency is collaborating with public agencies, first responders, and community organizations to evaluate their readiness for handling floods, addressing gaps, and ensuring coordinated responses.
Challenges like poor infrastructure and environmental issues remain, but Kaduna's forward-thinking approach demonstrates how local governments can protect vulnerable populations by mobilizing resources and establishing clear communication and evacuation plans. The effectiveness of this system will be tested in upcoming months, yet Kaduna's preemptive actions may prove crucial in safeguarding lives against climate change-induced weather events.
