The Conference of Speakers of Pan-African Parliament under the African Union has declared solidarity with the victims of flood disasters in Nigeria and others affected battling similar tragedies on the African continent.
The conference expressed its support in a statement signed by PAP President, Fortune Charumbira at the ongoing 12th Annual Conference of Speakers of National and Regional Parliaments in Midrand, South Africa on Friday.
A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Saturday, noted that the conference highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive response to natural disasters, owing to climate change and inadequate infrastructure.
Recall that Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States were recently hit by severe floods which resulted in loss of lives and properties.
Kalu who led the Nigerian delegation to the conference at various sessions has repeatedly called for intervention in the Nigerian crisis.
The Conference in their statement called on the respective African governments and the international community to provide immediate assistance to people of the affected areas.
The Speakers also said their solidarity must translate into concrete actions that prioritize human dignity and resilience in the face of adversity.
The statement read in part, “We, the speakers of the African Parliaments, convened at this important conference, express our profound solidarity with the people of Nigeria and all victims of flooding across the African continent. Recent catastrophic floods have caused widespread devastation, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of communities, and significant destruction of infrastructure.
“It is our collective responsibility to stand with those affected and address the underlying challenges that exacerbate these crises.
“The floods in Nigeria and other regions have highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive response to natural disasters, driven by climate change and inadequate infrastructure.
“As representatives of our nations, we acknowledge the impact of these events on food security, health, and overall socio-economic stability. We recognise that the consequences of such disasters extend beyond immediate relief, affecting generations to come.
“In light of these challenges, we call upon our governments and the international community to take decisive actions, including immediate humanitarian assistance.
They also called on “Stakeholders to prioritise the provision of immediate humanitarian aid to flood victims. This includes food, medical supplies, shelter, and psychological support for those affected by these disasters.”
On strengthening disaster preparedness, the speakers advocated investment in risk reduction and management strategies.
“This involves enhancing our infrastructure, improving early warning systems, and developing comprehensive response plans to mitigate the impact of future disasters”, the statement further read.
It also called for efforts to promote climate resilience, facilitate regional cooperation and strengthen community engagement.