NEDC, NEMA Synergise To  Distribute Relief Materials In N/East  

North East Development Commission (NEDC) and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) yesterday stepped up efforts to harmonize the distribution of relief materials in North East to avert duplication.

The two organisations agreed to come up with a framework to harmonise the distribution of relief materials in the region.

Earlier, the chief executive officer, NEDC, Mohammed Alkali had pledged to take over the responsibility of feeding internally displaced persons (IDPs) hitherto provided with food and other non-food items in both Borno and Adamawa states.

Speaking during a courtesy visit, Alkali said most communities in the North East enjoy the uncoordinated approach of the distribution of humanitarian aid, stressing the need for coordinated distribution.

Alkali said sometimes the assistance does have political undertone, leading to duplication.

“Same people will go to NEMA for aid and still come to us leading to duplication. The issue of lack of coordination will be addressed. Our intervention starts when NEMA can not provide necessary support,” he said.

Earlier, the director general, NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, NEMA will continue to provide relief assistance to impacted communities in the North East region whenever sudden onset disasters hit.

Ahmed also lauded the pledge of the CEO of NEDC, saying the gracious takeover of NEMA routine intervention by the NEDC will decouple the resources deployed and grant them the impetus to further deliver relief support to persons in need in the event of sudden onset disasters nationwide including in the North East region.

He continued, “The 2022 flood has led to the loss of more than 612 lives, injury to 2,776 persons, and the displacement of 1,427,370 others across the nation while we are still counting the impacts of several other secondary hazards including the outbreak of waterborne diseases, losses to the agricultural sector, critical infrastructure, and means of livelihoods,” he said.