Disaster Watch Nigeria is a humanitarian organization and think thank focusing primarily on disaster management issues in Nigeria. Recently she launched the Disaster Management Report for 2013. Following the launch gaskiya.net met with the Executive Secretary Mr Abiodun Orebiyi. Excerpts below.

[b]Gaskiya.net: Congratulations on the release of the Nigeria Disaster Report 2013.

Abiodun Orebiyi: Thank you.

Gaskiya.net: What are the highlights of your report for 2013?

Abiodun Orebiyi: The DWNI 2013 Disasters Report for Nigeria made attempt to analyse patterns of emergencies in Nigeria, state by state. The report also tried to focus on the prevalence of each emergency and its impact on the economic and social life of the people of Nigeria. The critical issues of deaths, injuries, displacement and property destroyed have been given attention to enable us understand the devastating impacts of disasters on the environment, economy and social life. This will also enable us to determine the required disaster risk reduction strategies to be put in place.

Gaskiya.net: What has changed between 2012, when you issued your first ever report and 2013 in terms of the types of disasters we saw and the way Nigeria managed them?

Abiodun Orebiyi: Between 2012 and now, we have noticed that early warning strategies, community mobilisation and sensitisation for some disasters such as flooding, fire, building collapse, road accidents, pipeline vandalisation/explosions have improved likewise their management in terms of information, coordination, search and rescue and evacuation, but we still need to do more to achieve better disaster risk reduction. However this can not be said of conflict related emergencies which still lack proper early warning mechanism, good and adequate information management and mitigation strategies. People affected or under the threat of violent conflicts are still under serious danger of being caught unawares and in a confused situation. Most often the affected population are usually not sensitised or mobilised to understand the danger they are exposed to face.

Gaskiya.net: How serious is the impact of the insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria in terms on the civilian population?

Abiodun Orebiyi: The insurgency in the North East has devastated about 45% of the region. There is no doubt that this development has brought the region's economy, education, social life and agricultural activities to their knees. The region is practically struggling for breath. To date four out of the six states in this region are under the serious attacks of the insurgents, while one is under the burden of endemic communal conflicts. Even the remaining state in this region is not immune from the insurgent attacks since it had been attacked severally although not regularly like others. It is instructive to note that the development in the North East will definitely impact negatively on the economy social and education well-being of Nigeria in the nearest future. We should not pretend that all is well.

Gaskiya.net: Yours is probably the only organization publishing this type of report in Africa, are you planning to do the same in other countries?

Abiodun Orebiyi: Yes, we,are planning to publish the report in Liberia,Sierra Leone and Benin Republic very soon. However our ultimate aim is to have a West Africa- wide publication that will assist the people in having safe, secure and sustainable environment.[/b]

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