The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, officially launched Nigeria’s National Mass Fatality Response Plan, a comprehensive framework designed to strengthen the country’s capacity for effective and coordinated response to incidents involving large-scale loss of life.
Speaking at the launch event in Abuja, NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, described the plan as a landmark achievement in enhancing national disaster preparedness and response mechanisms. “In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed numerous mass fatalities caused by disasters such as explosions, floods, building collapses, epidemics, and other tragic emergencies,” she said. “These events have left families grieving and communities devastated. Too often, the pain is compounded by the absence of a coordinated and compassionate response. This plan is our collective resolve to change that narrative.”
Developed through a rigorous and consultative process involving key stakeholders, the plan aims not only to improve operational efficiency but also to uphold the dignity and identity of every life lost. Mrs. Umar emphasized that the framework will enhance inter-agency coordination, promote transparency and accountability, and restore dignity to victims while offering comfort to their families. She urged all stakeholders to ensure the plan becomes a dynamic guide for operations, training, and response at all levels.
In his remarks, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research, and Forecasting, Onimode Bandele, praised the leadership of the DG and the sustained support of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which contributed to the successful completion of the plan after a seven-year development process.
Ms. Nourane Houas, Projection Coordinator for ICRC Nigeria, expressed confidence that the plan will be rapidly operationalized to enhance preparedness, coordination, and dignified response efforts. “This plan is not just policy — it’s a national commitment and a pathway to restoring dignity to the dead and hope to the living,” she said, reaffirming ICRC’s commitment to support its implementation through tools, training, and technical assistance.
Dr. Latifa Arfaoui, Field Coordinator for Health Emergencies at the World Health Organization (WHO), lauded the plan as a proactive measure in bolstering Nigeria’s emergency response infrastructure. “The plan will enhance multi-sectoral coordination, ensure responder safety, uphold public health standards, and honour cultural and religious practices in fatality management,” she stated, pledging WHO’s continued technical support at national and sub-national levels.
Providing an overview of the document, Dr. Chukwuemeka Nwafor, Associate Professor of Pathology at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, highlighted that the plan ensures dignified, coordinated, and culturally sensitive handling of mass fatality incidents. Key components include the establishment of a national registry for the deceased, the adoption of the Incident Command Structure for crisis response, and regular training and simulation exercises to maintain preparedness and support bereaved families.
Developed by NEMA in partnership with the ICRC and other stakeholders in disaster management, the National Mass Fatality Response Plan represents a significant advancement in Nigeria’s disaster management capacity.
At the same event, NEMA also unveiled its 2025 Climate-Related Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Strategy, a document that assesses the disaster management implications of the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction and aims to strengthen national resilience against climate risks and related hazards.
