The Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) says the state recorded 47 incidents of fire, flooding and other disasters in 2025, with more than 10,000 people affected directly or indirectly.

Dr. Jerry Idahosa, Executive Secretary of the agency disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin during a stakeholders’ engagement themed: “Strengthening Disaster Management: Lessons from 2025, Vision 2026.”

The engagement was organised by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in collaboration with Edo SEMA.

Idahosa said the incidents comprised 15 fire outbreaks, 10 flooding cases, 10 rainstorm and windstorm incidents, one case of banditry or conflict and seven other related emergencies across the state.

“In total, over 10,000 people were affected either directly or indirectly by these disasters in 2025,” he said.

He noted that the agency is shifting its strategy from reactive emergency response to proactive disaster preparedness.

“We are committed to moving from reactive emergency response to proactive preparedness, ensuring that Edo is not only ready for disasters but resilient against them,” Idahosa said.

Also speaking, the Head of NEMA’s Benin Operations Office, Kenneth Ojudeire, said the engagement was convened to critically review disaster management efforts in 2025.

“The essence of this meeting is to look at what worked, what did not work and what can be done to improve and bridge identified gaps,” Ojudeire said.

He emphasised that disaster management required preparedness and strong stakeholder collaboration.

“Disaster management is about being proactive and prepared. That is why critical stakeholders are brought together to brainstorm on how to improve effective management of disasters in the state,” he said.

Ojudeire identified challenges in responding to incidents in remote communities and stressed the need to strengthen early warning systems and rapid response mechanisms.

“There are areas of shortcomings, especially when disasters occur far from the city centre.

“These are the gaps we are working to bridge, so that early response can reach victims on time,” he added.

According to him, both NEMA and Edo SEMA would intensify community engagement, improve early warning dissemination, enhance resource mobilisation and ensure better coordination among stakeholders in 2026.

Representing the Edo State Commissioner for Ministry of Public Safety and Security, Festus Ebea, Ronke Williams said the meeting was designed to strengthen disaster management systems across the state.

She assured stakeholders of stronger collaboration among relevant agencies to promote proactive preparedness, curb disaster risks and ensure more effective emergency response going forward. (NAN)