NEMA launches mass fatality response plan to improve disaster management

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has launched the national mass fatality response plan as part of efforts to improve capacity to manage disasters.

NAN reports that Zubaida Umar, the director-general (DG) of NEMA, unveiled the plan in Abuja on Tuesday.

The initiative, which will run from 2025 to 2029, was developed with technical support from local and international partners, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Umar said the document aims to close long-standing gaps in the country’s handling of mass casualty incidents by ensuring dignity for the deceased and coordinated support for survivors.

She said the agency now has clear guidelines and resources to support professional and respectful management of deceased persons during emergencies.

“The new plan is designed to ensure coordinated, compassionate, and efficient responses to mass fatality incidents such as explosions, floods, building collapses, and epidemics that have increasingly affected Nigerian communities in recent years,” she said.

“The plan is developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and assigns responsibilities to federal, state, and local governments, ensuring that no one acts alone and that all responses are unified and dignified.

“It is developed through rigorous consultation and evidence-based processes. The plan provides clear protocols and standard operating procedures for handling mass fatalities with dignity and professionalism.”

The NEMA boss commended the team behind the project, noting that the document would be regularly reviewed to keep it relevant and responsive to emerging challenges.

“The plan is expected to improve inter-agency coordination, promote transparency, and restore dignity to victims while providing comfort to their families,” she said.

“NEMA’s broader mandate includes formulating disaster management policies, coordinating national and state-level agencies, and mobilising resources for effective response and recovery.

“The inauguration of this plan is a call to action for all stakeholders to ensure it becomes a living tool guiding operations and training at every level, ultimately building a more compassionate and effective disaster response system for Nigeria.”

Hyginus Omeje, assistant corps marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), called for the declaration of an emergency on Nigerian roads.

Omeje said road traffic crashes had become a more persistent and deadlier threat than natural disasters like flooding.

He said over 5,400 people were killed in road crashes in 2024 alone, which, according to him, is a seven percent increase from the previous year.

“The situation is exacerbated by dangerous practices such as scooping fuel from crashed tankers, which accounted for over 400 deaths last year,” he said.

“Human factors, reckless driving, overloading, and fatigue remain key contributors to the high fatality rate.

“In spite of some progress in reducing crash numbers, Nigeria remains among the countries with the highest road accident rates globally, contributing nearly 10 percent of all road fatalities worldwide.

“Experts warn that without decisive and sustained intervention, the country’s road safety crisis will continue to overshadow other disasters.”

Latifa Arfaoui, the field coordinator for health emergencies at WHO, described the launch of the mass fatality plan as a “critical milestone” for Nigeria.

She commended NEMA and its partners for developing a framework that promotes dignity in death and helps families and communities cope during emergencies.

Nourane Houas, protection coordinator at the ICRC, said the organisation remains committed to supporting Nigeria’s humanitarian systems, particularly in the area of mass casualty management.

Houas said proper implementation of the plan is crucial to ensuring its objectives are achieved, urging all stakeholders to recognise the importance of coordinated response during crises.