The Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency has established seven Safe Haven Centres for people living in flood-prone areas of the state.

The centres, equipped with tents, food and non-food items, and essential supplies, are ready for the temporary relocation of at-risk populations.

The agency’s Executive Secretary, Usman Hayatu Mazadu, made this known at the High-Level Consultative Meeting on Stakeholders’ Readiness Against the 2025 Flood Prediction, held in Kaduna on Wednesday.

“We have established seven Safe Haven Centres equipped with tents, food and non-food items, and essential supplies. These are ready for the temporary relocation of at-risk populations,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of collective responsibility in disaster preparedness and response.

According to him, disaster preparedness is not the job of one agency, but the collective responsibility of all stakeholders.

“Disaster preparedness is not the job of one agency; it is the collective responsibility of all,” he added.

Mazadu highlighted the agency’s preparedness efforts, which include extensive stakeholder sensitisation across predicted flood-prone communities and the pre-positioning of resources to ensure a timely response.

“Over the past six weeks, KADSEMA has conducted extensive stakeholder sensitisation across predicted flood-prone communities, in collaboration with relevant agencies,” he said.

The meeting marked the official formation of the 2025 Flood Emergency Operation and Response Team and the activation of the Emergency Coordination Centre.

The meeting also featured a session where stakeholders provided feedback on their level of preparedness, identifying gaps and collaborating on solutions.

Mazadu emphasised the importance of stakeholder engagement in ensuring a coordinated and effective response to the predicted floods.

“We will moderate a session where each stakeholder will give feedback on their level of preparedness. This is crucial not only to assess our readiness but to identify gaps and collaborate on solutions,” he said.

He reaffirmed Governor Uba Sani’s commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of citizens while noting that the current administration has prioritised safety and security, with the agency playing a crucial role in coordinating disaster management efforts.