The staff of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have been tasked on the need for strict adherence to the principles of humanitarian services in the discharge of their duties.
The call was made by the Acting Head of Operations of the Agency, Gombe Operation office, Mr Simon Katu at the 2019 Annual Staff Retreat for Gombe state staff of the Agency held at Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi.
The retreat with the theme; ‘Re-engineering the National Emergency Management Agency for effective and proactive disaster management’ is an avenue for the staff of the Agency to appraise their performance in the previous year.
The main objective of the training according to the NEMA boss is to equip the participants about the requisite knowledge of unforeseen emergencies such as man-made or natural disasters and how to mitigate it as disaster management experts.
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Simon Kuta also said that the retreat is also meant for staff to brainstorm on the prospects and challenges of the Agency for optimal performance in disaster and relief management in their areas of operation.
The Gombe Head of Operations of NEMA who delivered a paper on “Humanitarian Activities in Emergency, enumerated impartiality, neutrality independence and respect for the culture of the people as some of the core principles of humanitarian services which NEMA staff must adhere to while discharging their responsibilities.
Some NEMA staff at the retreat who spoke with our correspondent described the exercise as an avenue that will motivate and update their knowledge in disaster management and humanitarian services.
Other papers presented at the retreat included General principles of disaster management and Disaster management in Nigeria and Public service rules and procedures.
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