In order to reduce the impact of disasters in Lagos state, Nigerian Red Cross Society, says it will focus on risk reduction, particularly flood mitigation.

According to its Lagos State Branch, Red Cross would collaborate with both the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and the state Ministry of Environment.

Its Lagos State Chairman, Adebola Kolawole, said this during an event marking this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, IDDRR, in Lagos, organised by the NRCS in collaboration with the British Red Cross.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, IDDRR, is celebrated annually on October thirteen to acknowledge the progress made toward reducing disaster risk and loss of life and livelihoods.

Kolawole said natural disasters and climate change negatively impacted communities, leading to losses, including mortality, damage to infrastructure and displaced people.

She added that the major challenge in disaster mitigation was the knowledge gap of people in the communities.

According to her, “many people don’t know what should be done; they don’t know what they should do and the impact of what they do to their communities, saying they don’t know what climate change is and how it affects us every day,”.

Kolawole urged Lagos residents to seek knowledge, so they could play their roles in enhancing their livelihoods.

She spoke through Vice Chairman, Adebola Folawewo.

Similarly, Disaster Management Coordinator, NRCS, National Headquarters, Benson Agbro, said flooding was a major issue in Lagos State because of the effects of climate change.

According to him, Water is being released from dams and this body of water comes down to states like Lagos and wash over some of the communities.

He said to mitigate the risks and the effects resulting from hazards, Red Cross would continue to work with partners, including the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Agbro added that the humanitarian body would also train its members and members of the society in its programmes.

Also, Assistant Chief Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, NEMA, Azeez Afunku said disasters could be prevented if the threat and activities that triggered them were nipped in the bud.

Afunku said NEMA would continue to raise awareness of the threats through sensitisation programmes in communities proned to flooding.

He added that flooding could be mitigated through continuous monitoring and evaluation, clearing of canals and demolition of structures on the waterways.

On his part, Assistant Director, Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Bankole Michael urged Lagos residents to observe hygienic protocols through proper waste disposal to reduce flooding.

He said when they stop building on drainage channels and alignments, then they are on the way to have a flood-free Lagos.