The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched Nigeria’s National Mass Fatality Response Plan, aimed at enhancing the country’s capacity for effective and coordinated response to mass fatality incidents.
Speaking at the event, Tuesday, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, described the framework as a testament to the agency’s commitment to strengthening national preparedness and response mechanisms.
“In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed numerous mass fatalities caused by disasters such as explosions, floods, building collapses, epidemics, and other tragic emergencies,” she noted, adding that “these events have left families grieving and communities devastated. Too often, the pain is compounded by the absence of a coordinated and compassionate response. This plan is our collective resolve to change that narrative.”
She stated that the plan was developed through a rigorous, consultative, and evidence-based process involving key stakeholders. “Our goal is not only operational efficiency but also to uphold the dignity and identity of every life lost,” she added.
The DG NEMA said the plan will significantly boost national capacity to manage mass fatalities by improving inter-agency coordination, promoting transparency and accountability, and most importantly, restoring dignity to victims while providing comfort to their families. She urged stakeholders to ensure the plan becomes a living document that actively guides operations, training, and response at all levels.
In his welcome remarks, NEMA’s director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting, Onimode Bandele, commended the DG and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for their sustained support and determination, leading to the successful completion of the plan — a process that began seven years ago.
Ms. Nourane Houas, projection coordinator for ICRC Nigeria, expressed optimism that the plan will be swiftly operationalized, enhancing preparedness, coordination, and dignity in mass fatality response efforts.
“This plan is not just policy, it’s a national commitment and a pathway to restoring dignity to the dead and hope to the living,” Houas stated. She added that “ICRC reaffirms its commitment to support its implementation, especially in contexts of armed conflict, through tools, training, and technical assistance,” she said.