In 2023, in Nigeria, COOPI implemented the Disaster Risk Reduction and Social Safety project aimed at improving disaster preparedness, the timeliness and quality of risk information, and response actions across multiple natural hazards, including flooding.
The project targeted coordinated efforts at ward, local, state, and federal government levels in Kaduna and Sokoto states. A key objective was to enhance the capacity of social protection agencies to meet the needs of vulnerable populations before, during, and after disasters, improving community data collection, analysis, and action perspectives.
Additionally, the project sought to strengthen social protection systems, such as social safety nets, to better anticipate and absorb climate-related risks and shocks, while linking these systems to early warning mechanisms and government palliative responses. This approach helped safeguard vulnerable communities from the impacts of both climate and human-induced disasters. The project included the creation of Community Disaster Management Platforms (CDMPs) in 8 target locations, which involved community members with relevant experience and commitment to voluntary engagement in flood risk management.
The establishment of these platforms created a multi-level structure for effective DRR management, linking trained CDMP members at the community level with Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) at the local government level, and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) at the state level, as well as the broader Disaster Management Platform. Key project activities included capacity building through a series of training sessions on Early Warning Systems, Social Protection, Community-Based Disaster Risk Reduction, Data Management, Conflict Sensitivity, and Gender Mainstreaming.
In addition, the project supported the development and review of flood contingency plans at the state level and promoted awareness and sensitization on disaster prevention and preparedness, delivering context-specific messages to local residents. The protection component of the project focused on ensuring psychosocial support for individuals disproportionately affected by disasters. Gender and social inclusion were central to the project, ensuring the participation of vulnerable, marginalized, and socially excluded groups in disaster risk reduction efforts.