In a bid to strengthen disability-inclusive climate-triggered disaster response strategies, the Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) team, led by Acting Director Mr. Godwin Unumeri, paid an advocacy visit to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) South-East Regional Office on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
The visit aimed to foster collaboration between CCD and NEMA in addressing the unique challenges faced by Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) during climate-related disasters. With the increasing threats of floods, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events in Nigeria, CCD emphasized the urgent need to integrate disability-inclusive strategies into the nation’s disaster preparedness and response framework.
CCD Presents Key Findings on Disability and Disaster Vulnerability
Opening the advocacy engagement, Mr. Unumeri presented findings from CCD’s baseline study, which revealed critical gaps in Nigeria’s disaster management policies concerning PWDs.
He noted that PWDs are disproportionately affected by climate-triggered disasters, as they often face:
- Increased vulnerability due to inaccessible infrastructure and inadequate early warning systems.
- Limited awareness of disaster risks and response mechanisms.
- Weak policy implementation that excludes PWDs from emergency preparedness plans.
“Our study highlights the systemic challenges that leave PWDs more vulnerable in times of disaster. Without targeted interventions, they remain marginalized and at greater risk during climate emergencies,” Unumeri stated.
CCD Proposes Partnership with NEMA for Inclusive Disaster Response
To address these gaps, the CCD team proposed a strategic partnership with NEMA aimed at promoting disability-inclusive climate change adaptation strategies. Among the key recommendations put forward were:
- Training Programs – Equipping PWDs with knowledge on climate change mitigation and disaster preparedness.
- Sensitization of NEMA Staff – Organizing capacity-building sessions to ensure NEMA personnel understand the needs of PWDs in disaster response.
- Budgetary Allocations – Advocating for specific funding dedicated to disability-inclusive disaster management efforts.
- Deliberate Inclusion of PWDs – Ensuring PWDs are actively involved in disaster response teams and emergency planning processes.
- Accessible Communication Platforms – Adding PWDs to NEMA’s real-time disaster alert systems for early warnings.
- Sign Language Interpreters – Deploying sign language interpreters in public institutions to facilitate effective communication for persons with hearing impairments.
NEMA Acknowledges Need for Disability Inclusion in Disaster Response
Responding to CCD’s advocacy efforts, Mr. Igwe Nnamdi, Head of Operations at NEMA South-East, acknowledged the urgent need to improve disaster education for PWDs, particularly those in rural communities.
“We recognize that PWDs are often overlooked in disaster response strategies. Education and inclusivity must be at the core of our operations, especially for those in remote areas who are more vulnerable,” he said.
Nnamdi further assured CCD that NEMA is committed to strengthening collaboration with disability organizations and called for sustained engagement to ensure lasting progress.
Call for a Disability Desk at NEMA
Closing the visit, Mrs. Florence Austin, a CCD representative, emphasized the need for the establishment of a Disability Desk at NEMA. This, she explained, would provide specialized services tailored to the needs of PWDs in disaster situations.
“We urge NEMA to set up a Disability Desk that will ensure PWDs receive the attention they deserve in disaster response planning. Strengthening the partnership between CCD and NEMA will enhance inclusivity and save lives,” Austin stated.
The advocacy visit, supported by the Disability Rights Fund, marks a significant step towards integrating disability-inclusive strategies into Nigeria’s disaster management framework.
With climate change intensifying the frequency and severity of disasters, experts stress that only an inclusive approach will ensure no one is left behind in emergency response efforts.
What Next?
As CCD continues to push for policy reforms and implementation, all eyes are on NEMA to translate its commitment into concrete actions. Will the agency prioritize disability-inclusive disaster planning?
For now, the conversation has started—and the momentum must not stop.
