The Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) has requested the assistance of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to improve on its management of disasters.
The Congolese Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and Solidarity Mrs Emilienne Raoul made the request when she led a high power delegation to the head office of NEMA in Abuja to deliver the appreciation of her country to Nigeria for the humanitarian support given last year over the ammunition depot explosions that occurred in Brazzaville and displaced over 14, 000 persons.
She said the speed at which the supports were delivered to Brazzaville was a confirmation of solidarity between the two countries and also justify the existence of a vibrant structure for disaster management in Nigeria which her country could further benefit through NEMA. She Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi who received the delegation said the
Agency has developed a number of policies and platform for disaster management which
are carriedout in collaboration with the stakeholders. He assured the supports of NEMA to deploy its assets and human resources to enhance the emergency management capacity of the Republic of Congo.
The NEMA Boss also said the humanitarian assistance delivered abroad were in the spirit of international solidarity as approved by the President to support the immediate needs of the people that were affected by disasters.
It will recalled that on 4th March 2012 there was explosion at the ammunition depot in Brazzaville in which about 200 lives were reported lost and 14, 000 displaced by the disaster. Immediately after the incidence, President Goodluck Jonathan sent a condolence message to the government and people of Congo. This was closely followed by the delivery of humanitarian supports transported and handed over on behalf of the Nigerian government by NEMA. The items delivered were food items, toiletries, beddings, clothings, medicaments and assorted household materials.
