The Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strengthening awareness and full implementation of Nigeria’s Mass Fatality Response Plan.
Umar gave the assurance while receiving a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) at NEMA headquarters in Abuja.
The visit is part of ongoing collaboration between NEMA and the ICRC to advance the execution of the framework designed to ensure dignified, coordinated, and effective management of fatalities during large-scale disasters and emergencies.
Speaking during the meeting, Umar commended the ICRC for its sustained partnership, describing the Mass Fatality Response Plan as a vital component of Nigeria’s disaster management system, particularly in the face of increasingly complex emergencies.
She noted that although the framework has been widely circulated, there is a need for more deliberate and coordinated efforts to deepen awareness and ensure its full implementation at all levels of government and emergency response structures.
Leading the ICRC delegation, Head of Operations, Yannick, said the plan clearly defines roles, responsibilities, and standard procedures for managing mass casualty incidents.
He acknowledged progress made in developing and rolling out the framework but stressed the urgent need to move beyond policy formulation to practical, on-ground implementation.
The renewed commitment by both organisations is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and response capacity in handling mass casualty situations.
