The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has disclosed that the 2026 flood has claimed 245 lives, displaced 214,996 person and affected 673,350 across 134 Local Government Areas in 28 States.

NEMA disclosed the figures at the National Emergency Coordination Forum (NECF), held to review ongoing flood response efforts, strengthen inter-agency coordination and harmonise preparedness measures ahead of the anticipated 2026/2027 El Niño phenomenon.

The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said the magnitude of the flooding underscored the urgent need to review ongoing interventions, identify response gaps and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders to address the humanitarian needs of affected communities.

Umar, who was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Godwin Topikor, emphasised the importance of heightened surveillance, timely information sharing and coordinated preparedness against emerging public health threats.

She noted that disaster-affected communities could face increased health vulnerabilities due to displacement, poor sanitation and limited access to essential services.

She stated the need for relevant institutions to harmonise climate forecasts, assess potential risks and translate early warning information into practical anticipatory actions to reduce the possible effects of the anticipated 2026/2027 El Niño phenomenon on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure.

She noted that effective disaster management required proactive, multisectoral approach anchored on early warning, preparedness, risk reduction, timely response and sustainable recovery.

Umar urged participating institutions to strengthen operational collaboration, eliminate duplication of efforts and prioritise the protection of vulnerable populations, particularly women, children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

The forum featured technical presentations and discussions on the current flood situation and cholera updates, the anticipated El Niño phenomenon and its hydrological implications, as well as global and regional climate outlooks.

Participants also reviewed sectoral preparedness and response priorities covering food security, health, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, nutrition, protection, emergency shelter, logistics, security and information management.

The Deputy Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Mr. Tony Ephraim, highlighted the importance of effective coordination and collaboration among emergency management stakeholders.

He encouraged participants to identify operational gaps, improve information sharing and develop actionable recommendations to strengthen national disaster preparedness and response.

The forum had in attendance representatives of Ministries of Health and Social Welfare, Environment, Information and National Orientation, and Education; the Armed Forces of Nigeria; the Nigeria Police Force; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency; the Nigerian Meteorological Agency; and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Others institutions represented are; Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigerian Red Cross Society, Society for Family Health, World Meteorological Organization and other humanitarian and development partners.

( The Nation)