The FCT Emergency Management Department, FEMD, and the FCT Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus, FCT-CARES, have signed a five-year agreement to strengthen disaster preparedness, emergency response and early warning systems across the territory.
The partnership is expected to integrate disaster risk management into development programmes supported by FCT-CARES, particularly those targeting vulnerable households and livelihoods in communities exposed to flooding and other climate-related hazards.
FEMD, in a statement on Tuesday, said the agreement was designed to improve access to reliable disaster risk information, early warnings and emergency advisories to support programme planning and implementation.
The statement, signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, explained that the collaboration would also provide a framework for incorporating emergency preparedness and disaster risk reduction into community-based interventions.
Under the agreement, FEMD will provide available emergency alerts, flood and hazard advisories, early warning updates and technical guidance on emergency preparedness, subject to its statutory mandate.
FCT-CARES, on its part, will facilitate engagement with FEMD, communicate relevant programme information and encourage the use of emergency warnings and safety advisories in its activities.
The agreement also provides for joint public sensitisation, capacity-building activities, technical consultations and information sharing between the two institutions.
Both agencies will designate focal persons to coordinate the partnership, maintain communication and organise periodic technical engagements to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.
The Director of FEMD, Engr. Muhammad Dikko, signed the agreement on behalf of the department, while the General Manager of FCT CSDP, Engr. Obinna Okafor, signed on behalf of his institution.
The agreement will remain in effect for five years from its commencement.
The partnership is expected to help ensure that disaster risks are considered in relevant development interventions, particularly those affecting vulnerable communities across the Federal Capital Territory.
