By Abbas Bamalli
The Katsina State Government, in collaboration with UNICEF, has commenced a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening flood preparedness and emergency response across the state.
The workshop, which began on Wednesday in Katsina, is being organised by the Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Katsina State Bureau of Statistics.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Hajiya Binta Dangani, said the initiative was designed to enhance disaster preparedness and build the resilience of communities vulnerable to flooding.
Dangani commended UNICEF for supporting the programme, describing the organisation as a dependable partner in strengthening disaster risk management and protecting the vulnerable communities across the state.
She said the workshop came at a critical period when flooding had continued to threaten lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and socio-economic activities in many parts of Katsina.
“Flooding remains one of the most devastating natural disasters affecting the state with recurring incidents leading to the displacement of families, destruction of farmlands, damage to public infrastructure and loss of economic assets.
“The 2026 flood outlook identified Katsina among the states at risk of flooding, with seven local government areas classified as high-risk zones.
“This underscores the need for proactive measures, effective coordination and comprehensive preparedness planning to minimise the impact of possible flood disasters,” Dangani said.
She said that the workshop would provide a platform for stakeholders to assess the causes of flooding, exchange experiences and develop practical strategies for effective preparedness and emergency response.
Dangani added that the expected outcome was the development of a strategic flood preparedness plan that would strengthen the state’s capacity to anticipate, prevent, mitigate and respond effectively to flood emergencies.
She reaffirmed SEMA’s commitment to coordinating disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response and recovery efforts through collaboration with government agencies, development partners, humanitarian organisations, community leaders and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs).
She urged the participants to contribute actively to the discussions.
The Statistician-General of the state, Prof. Saifullahi Sani, said that available data showed that Katsina remained vulnerable to flooding and cholera outbreaks, stressing the need for stakeholders to act proactively rather than wait for disasters to occur.
He said that the 2026 seasonal flood outlook identified several areas in the state as high-risk zones.
He added that the Bureau’s 2025 WASH Survey indicated that about 38 per cent of rural households still relied on unprotected wells and surface water sources, making them susceptible to waterborne diseases after floods.
“Historical records from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the state Ministry of Health also showed that cholera cases usually surged between two and four weeks after major flood incidents.
“The data is no longer asking whether floods will occur; it is telling us where and when. What remains is for us to determine how best to respond through effective planning and coordination,” he said.
Mrs Margaret Adaba-Soyemi, the Social and Behaviour Change Officer for Emergencies (Public Health Emergencies and Humanitarian Action) at UNICEF, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting Katsina in strengthening emergency preparedness and response systems to protect vulnerable populations, particularly children and women.
She described preparedness as one of the most cost-effective and life-saving investments.
She noted that robust risk analysis, early warning systems, coordinated response mechanisms and timely action were essential to reducing the impact of floods, cholera outbreaks and other humanitarian emergencies.
Adaba-Soyemi urged participants to maximise the three-day training by sharing experiences and strengthening collaboration across sectors.
She expressed the confidence that the workshop would enhance the state’s capacity to anticipate, prepare for and effectively respond to future emergencies.
NAN