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HEDA Strengthens Flood Resilience in Lokoja and Ajaokuta LGAs, Kogi State
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda, HEDA Resource Centre, has taken proactive measures to enhance community resilience in the Lokoja and Ajaokuta Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kogi State, in response to the flood risks identified in the NIHSA 2024 Flood Outlook.
This initiative, a part of the African Activists for Climate Justice project, is essential for safeguarding vulnerable communities as they prepare for potential floods between September and November 2024.
The team from HEDA Resource Centre led by Akinmayowa Shobo and Azeez Salawu, has equipped residents with the knowledge and resources needed to safeguard their homes and farms against the imminent floods.
This endeavor is a component of a larger campaign, conducted in collaboration with OXFAM and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, aimed at enhancing the adaptive capacities of communities grappling with the harsh impacts of climate change.
HEDA calls on government agencies, and other key stakeholders to intensify their support for these vulnerable communities.
Through education and the provision of actionable strategies, HEDA aims to lessen the repercussions of the anticipated floods and foster enduring resilience.
During the outreach efforts, the HEDA team visited riverine communities such as Adankolo community in Lokoja Local Government and Geregu community in Ajaokuta Local Government.
These communities, reliant on agriculture for their livelihoods and cultivating crops like rice, maize, and groundnut, are particularly vulnerable to the destructive consequences of river floods.
In Adankolo, the team conducted a comprehensive training session aimed at equipping community members with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage flood risks.
The capacity-building session specifically targeted smallholder farmers who rely on rain-fed methods and traditional farming techniques.
During the session, several community members expressed deep concern regarding their community’s vulnerability to floods. Being surrounded by water bodies, these communities are often trapped by coastal and river flooding, with many lacking a plan to mitigate losses. Women and children are particularly affected, as the women’s farming activities play a crucial role in supporting their households and meeting their family’s needs.
A survey conducted within the communities revealed a lack of preparedness and emergency planning, with no community register in place to account for the population. One respondent shared a personal experience of losing valuable documents during the floods in 2022.
Similarly, at the Geregu community, located approximately one hour from Adankolo, residents also recounted common challenges with recurring floods threatening their livelihoods and safety. The floods not only disrupt daily life but also severely impact the community’s primary sources of water and hygiene, which are predominantly derived from local streams.
Floodwaters significantly reduce access to clean water, leading to widespread health issues and exacerbating food insecurity. The loss of property and, tragically, lives, has become an all-too-common consequence of these floods, leaving communities in a constant state of fear and uncertainty.
Despite these challenges, the communities displayed remarkable resilience and expressed a strong interest in learning how to better prepare for floods, identify their flood risks, and plan effectively for emergencies. HEDA’s community engagement efforts focused on enhancing early warning systems by utilizing data from institutions such as NIHSA, NEMA, and NiMet.
The team provided information on the expected types of floods, preparation measures for residents, and actions to be taken during and after floods to minimize damage and facilitate recovery.
