West African flood preparedness and mitigation

Disaster management agencies across West Africa are intensifying preparedness and mitigation efforts as the rainy season begins.

In Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FCTEMA) has launched a campaign in flood-prone districts such as Gwagwalada and Lokogoma. Officials identified heavy runoff and illegal construction on waterways as primary causes of flooding, emphasizing a shift from post-disaster relief to proactive mitigation through community education and land-use enforcement.

Regional efforts extend to The Gambia, where the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) is utilizing artificial intelligence for forecasting and partnering with UNICEF to train data collectors. In Ghana, the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) has secured temporary shelters in the Upper East Region in anticipation of potential water spillage from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso. Authorities are working to educate residents along the White Volta to evacuate to higher ground if water levels reach critical thresholds.