Nigeria’s disaster response system is set for a technology-driven boost as stakeholders unveil a real-time platform designed to improve how emergency agencies collect, share and use data during crises.
The platform was introduced at the annual Emergency Response and Simulation Summit organised by the Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Risk Management Institute in Abuja.
The summit, which focused on strengthening collaboration among emergency response agencies and improving the capacity of emergency personnel, was held under the theme, “Strengthening Resilience Through Data-Driven Emergency Response and Simulation.”
The new platform is designed to capture and provide real-time information during and after disasters, including human casualties, property damage, economic losses and emerging needs.
Stakeholders said the system could help address one of the major challenges facing disaster management in Nigeria — the lack of reliable, accessible and verified information for emergency planning and response.
The platform is expected to improve coordination among emergency agencies by giving authorities access to timely information that can support decision-making during crises.
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The institute said the initiative would not only support immediate emergency response but also help authorities document and analyse disasters after they occur.
According to the institute, reliable records from disaster incidents could help authorities identify weaknesses in existing response systems, understand what went wrong and develop better preparedness measures for future emergencies.
The summit also featured simulation exercises designed to test the readiness of emergency personnel and agencies to respond to different disaster scenarios.
Stakeholders said strengthening collaboration, data collection and simulation-based training would be critical to improving Nigeria’s resilience to emergencies and disasters.
About the Author
Cecilia Attah is a tech analyst with a degree from Benue State University. She covers tech news and startups at TechRegard with a focus on how technology is transforming Africa and shaping the global landscape.
