Floods Put People With Disabilities At Risk Of Death, Losses–NOA Warns

The National Orientation Agency (NOA), Akwa Ibom State Directorate, has raised the alarm that People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs) face high risk of death, deprivation, loss of properties and livelihoods in the face of the threatening natural disasters, especially the flood scourge.

The agency, therefore, advocated for the integration and inclusion of the PLWDs into the climate change policy actions.

Towards a seamless implementation of the integration process, the NOA has launched a partnership agreement with the Centre for Citizens with Disability (CCD) with a view mainstreaming the PLWDs into the climate change discourse.

The initiative was organised under the theme: “PLWDs as an Agent of Inclusive Climate Action,” at the EEMJM Hotels and Suites, Uyo, the State capital, at the weekend.

Addressing the forum, the state director of NOA, Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, explained that “the initiative is designed to move PWDs from the periphery of climate discussions to the centre of climate action and policy formulation.”

He noted that “persons with disabilities are often the most affected by climate-induced disasters such as floods, erosion, and heat waves, yet they are consistently excluded from the planning and implementation of mitigation strategies.

“This partnership is a deliberate effort to bridge that gap. Climate change is not a respecter of persons, but its impacts are disproportionately felt by vulnerable groups.

“In our society, PLWDs face mobility challenges and systemic barriers that make them more susceptible to climate emergencies. It is unacceptable that they are often left out of the decision-making tables that design the very solutions meant to protect them.”

He applauded the centre for its commitment to social inclusion, noting that the partnership aligns with the federal government’s vision of leaving no one behind in the pursuit of sustainable development goals.

The NOA director hinted that the initiative would soon commence with a State-wide sensitization tour, targeting local government areas most prone to environmental hazards, and called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community-based organizations to support the project by creating an enabling environment for the full participation of PLWDs.