NEMA NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN
Plan · Governance
A Plan coordinates preparedness, response, and recovery from disasters across government levels and agencies. It targets emergency management bodies, first responders, and Nigerians in vulnerable areas. This establishes a unified command to limit loss of life and property damage.
What Is This Policy?
The National Disaster Response Plan is NEMA's framework document that coordinates preparedness, response, and recovery operations across all levels of government and relevant agencies when a disaster strikes.
Who Does It Target?
Federal, state, and local government emergency management agencies First responders including fire, police, and medical services All Nigerians living in flood-prone, drought-affected, or otherwise disaster-vulnerable areas
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
To establish a clear, unified command structure and coordination mechanism that enables rapid, organised, and effective disaster response, limiting loss of life, injury, and property damage across the country.
Key Features
Incident Command System: Establishes a unified command and coordination framework for managing large-scale disaster events Hazard Classification: Categorises the full range of disaster types from floods and droughts to industrial accidents and armed conflict Resource Mobilisation: Sets rapid deployment procedures for emergency personnel, equipment, relief materials, and logistics support Early Warning Integration: Links disaster response planning directly to national early warning systems for floods, droughts, and other hazards Recovery Framework: Provides structured guidance on post-disaster recovery, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and building back better
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Operational; reviewed and updated periodically Coverage: All 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Beneficiaries to Date: All Nigerians, with priority given to disaster-affected communities Funding: Federal government appropriations, state government contributions, and donor support
How to Access
State governments and local governments engage with NEMA through State Emergency Management Agencies and Local Emergency Management Committees. Formal activation request submitted to NEMA by the state or local government authority Declaration of an emergency by the appropriate authority where required Coordination routed through the relevant SEMA or LEMC structure Application method: NEMA zonal offices or the NEMA national headquarters in Abuja
Official Resources
Website: www.nema.gov.ng Contact: +234 (0)9 461 5860
Legal Framework
Operates under the National Emergency Management Agency Act Cap N44 LFN 2004, Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution on citizen welfare, the National Security Strategy, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022. Draws on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 and the ECOWAS Humanitarian Policy.