Photo credit: Quartz
Still on the Lagos floods.
Incidentally, reports are indicating that other towns in the country also didn’t escape the havoc caused by the floods.
But my focus today is on our preparedness for emergencies as private individuals, as communities and as governments.
As individuals, do we know how to respond to emergencies? OK, if there is an emergency, and we have to take just a bagload of our possessions, what things are we going to pick. What are the things that are as precious as life to us?
As communities, how do we respond to emergencies? As churches, mosques, social clubs, community development societies, etc, are we prepared to protect our members?
Some individuals and families may not have any choice but to seek solace from neighbours and their communities. Are we prepared to offer them comfort, even if just for sometime?
There is a government agency called National Emergency Management Authority, the body is replicated in the states. I did not hear anything about the activities of the body during the floods.
I think all government agencies should be involved in emergencies. Human lives are so precious that to waste time could be hazardous.
Are our hospitals equipped to deal with such emergencies? What about our military and paramilitary organisations? Do we have volunteers trained for that purpose?
Do we have food to.go round? What about drugs? Warm clothing? Accommodation? Even small things like toiletries.
Of course, their homes have to be salvaged. By the way, how many homes are insured, even though most insurance companies will.not pay claims for natural disasters.
I believe we should be trained, both individually and corporately for emergencies.
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