Appraising Response to the Plight of Victims of Natural Disasters in Nigeria: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

This presentation analyses the multi-dimensional responses to the plight of victims of natural disasters in Nigeria, especially in the face of inadequate or ineffective disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation and response mechanism. In articulating this position, the presentation examines risk and/or vulnerability level of the victims of natural disasters by reviewing the interconnection between natural hazards and other factors that tend to heighten or intensify the plight of victims, thereby increasing the number of casualties and exacerbate the propensity for displacement, dislocation or disruption. One of such factors that impedes on disaster prevention, preparedness, mitigation and responsiveness in Nigeria is the lack of advanced equipments and technical know-how in public institutions to effectively response to disasters. While disaster responsiveness are quicker, efficient, effective and robust in advanced countries, they are slower and inefficient in Nigeria where the natural disasters further accentuated the existing vulnerabilities of the populace. This paper also interrogates the socio-economic situation in Nigeria, as compounded by poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, etc.