By Dare Akogun
In response to the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) 2024 flood predictions, the HEDA Resource Centre has initiated a community outreach program in Edu and Pategi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kwara State.
This intervention is part of a broader effort by HEDA to enhance flood resilience in Nigeria’s most vulnerable regions.
The outreach, conducted under the African Activists for Climate Justice project in collaboration with OXFAM and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, seeks to strengthen the adaptive capacities of communities facing severe climate change impacts, particularly floods.
Led by Mayowa Shobo and Azeez Salawu, Program Officers under HEDA’s Environmental Justice & Sustainable Development Department, along with Olaide Olawunwo from the TruORGANIC Initiative, the team targeted areas identified as high-risk flood zones in the NIHSA 2024 Flood Outlook.
Among the 44 Local Government Areas across 19 states flagged by NIHSA, Edu and Pategi LGAs in Kwara State are particularly susceptible due to erratic rainfall, river basin dynamics, and inadequate hydraulic infrastructure.
In Lade community of Pategi LGA, the HEDA team focused on training smallholder farmers, whose livelihoods are heavily dependent on the land.
The training provided these farmers with essential knowledge on flood preparedness and response, aimed at protecting their crops and livestock from potential flood damage.
The initiative also empowered the farmers to act as knowledge bearers, enabling them to share what they learned with others in their community.
Similarly, in Lafiagi community of Edu LGA, HEDA engaged local leaders and residents in an in-depth discussion on flood risks and preparedness.
The team emphasized the importance of early warning systems and community-driven disaster response strategies, stressing the need for communities to be well-informed and ready to act during the high-risk October-November period.
This outreach is a critical component of HEDA’s overarching goal to boost community resilience against climate-induced flooding across Nigeria. Central to this effort is the development of effective early warning systems and the promotion of proactive community engagement, particularly in regions identified as high-risk.
During the outreach, community members expressed concerns about receiving timely information on impending floods. HEDA assured them that through partnerships with NIHSA and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), they can access critical data and ensure it reaches the most vulnerable communities.
These collaborations enable HEDA to deliver timely warnings and actionable information, helping communities prepare adequately and mitigate the impact of floods.
The HEDA Resource Centre’s initiative represents a proactive approach to addressing the challenges posed by climate change in Nigeria, aiming to protect livelihoods and build resilience in the face of increasing flood risks.
