The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has flagged off the 2026 National Preparedness and Response Campaign on Flood Disaster and Related Hazards for the South South geo-political zone in Calabar, Cross River State.

The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who flagged off the campaign on May 14, said the exercise was designed to drive early and coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods during the 2026 rainy season.

She noted that the South South region remains one of the areas most vulnerable to flooding in Nigeria due to its coastal location, high rainfall intensity, overflowing river systems, poor drainage infrastructure and the impact of climate change, which often result in recurrent flooding, displacement of communities, destruction of farmlands and disruption of livelihoods.

Umar stressed the need for early action to prevent, mitigate and respond effectively to the anticipated flooding across the country, particularly in flood-prone communities within the South South region.