Following Flooding in Mokwa, Civil Groups Call for Proactive Climate Preparedness
Abuja, Nigeria | June 5, 2025 – A coalition of civil society organisations has issued a unified call for urgent, localised, and anticipatory action in response to Nigeria’s intensifying climate challenges, as the world commemorates World Environment Day 2025.
The statement follows the tragic flooding in Mokwa, Niger State, which led to significant loss of lives, displacement of families, destruction of property worth billions of naira, and disruption of livelihoods. The disaster, they said, serves as a stark reminder that climate-related emergencies in Nigeria are worsening—and must be met with immediate and strategic preparedness.
In a joint statement, representatives from Ohaha Family Foundation, Connected Advocacy for Empowerment and Youth Development Initiative, Shelter the Hurting Initiatives, Nkafamiya Rescue Mission, CRUDAN (Christian Rural and Urban Development Association of Nigeria), Bridge That Gap Initiative, and several others reaffirmed their solidarity with the affected communities and emphasized the need to shift from reactive to proactive disaster management.
“Flooding in Mokwa is not just a wake-up call—it is a call to action. We must move from disaster response to disaster preparedness,” the group said.
They highlighted how climate change has intensified Nigeria’s environmental vulnerabilities—ranging from drought, deforestation, and oil spills to plastic pollution, irregular rainfall, and rising temperatures. These factors have compounded food insecurity, triggered health crises, and worsened conflicts in fragile regions.
Key Demands from the Coalition
The organisations outlined a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at national and local stakeholders, including government agencies, international partners, donors, and the private sector:
- Scale-up of community-led early warning systems: The coalition called for robust, data-driven systems that prioritise early evacuation and disaster readiness, particularly at the grassroots level.
- Strengthening local capacity: With local actors often being the first responders in times of crisis, the groups emphasised the importance of investing in their skills, tools, and systems.
- Integration of anticipatory action into national disaster frameworks: Preparedness, they noted, must be embedded in policy and operational planning across all tiers of government.
- Timely disbursement of humanitarian aid: The group urged for swift release of relief funds, activation of healthcare services, and provision of emergency shelters to reduce suffering in disaster-affected communities.
- Inclusive and culturally sensitive communication: They reaffirmed a commitment to working with women’s groups, youth leaders, and traditional authorities to co-design multilingual and accessible early warning tools.
- Increased funding for climate resilience: They called for targeted investment in environmental sustainability and greater funding support for local organisations at the frontline of climate response.
The coalition also used the occasion of World Environment Day to renew its call for decisive national action to end plastic pollution and mitigate man-made environmental degradation, accelerating climate impacts.
“Preparedness saves lives. Investing in local resilience saves futures. This is not the time to wait for disaster—it’s the time to prepare for it,” the statement added.
A Call for Joint Action
The civil society network urged collaboration between state and federal governments, donors, international agencies, private sector actors, and the Nigerian diaspora to work hand-in-hand with local organisations. They stressed that climate and environmental resilience must become an inclusive, joint responsibility if future disasters are to be avoided or minimised.
For partnership inquiries, interested parties are encouraged to contact John Ede via edjohi@gmail.com.
Signed by:
Ohaha Family Foundation, Connected Advocacy for Empowerment and Youth Development Initiative, Shelter the Hurting Initiatives, Nkafamiya Rescue Mission, Sustainable Environment Food and Agriculture Initiative, Clean Climate and Environment Campaign Initiative, CRUDAN, Bridge That Gap Initiative, Local Communities Development Initiative, Global Platform for Civil Society in Disaster Reduction (GNDR), Nigeria.
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