Flood: LASG seeks stronger disaster financing

The Lagos State Government is exploring stronger financing mechanisms for disaster recovery, particularly in response to flooding and other climate-related risks threatening communities across the state.

The state disclosed this in a statement obtained by The Punch on Wednesday, following a strategic engagement between its Office of Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations University–Institute for Environment and Human Security.

According to the statement, the meeting focused on “strengthening disaster resilience and financing recovery in Lagos State”, with participants examining gaps and practical strategies for improving disaster-risk financing.

The Permanent Secretary, Office of SDGs, said the state was committed to “innovative, sustainable and data-driven approaches” to managing climate and disaster risks, stressing the need for stronger financing mechanisms to protect livelihoods, accelerate recovery and build resilient communities.

The statement quoted the Permanent Secretary as emphasising that improved disaster-risk financing would be critical to supporting communities affected by climate-related emergencies.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, also stressed the importance of broader collaboration in preparing for and recovering from disasters.

According to the statement, effective disaster preparedness and recovery would require stronger collaboration among the government, development partners, the insurance industry, communities and other stakeholders.

The engagement with the United Nations University–Institute for Environment and Human Security was also aimed at sharing experiences and identifying gaps in the state’s approach to disaster-risk financing.

It further examined strategies for strengthening long-term resilience against flooding and other climate-related risks.

The UNU-EHS delegation, led by Dr Habeeb Okunola and Sarin Oh, commended the Lagos team for what the statement described as its depth of expertise and practical experience.

Representatives of the Ministries of Environment and Finance, LASEMA, the Lagos State Resilience Office and the Office of Drainage Services participated in the engagement.

The statement did not disclose details of any specific financing instrument being considered, but the discussions placed disaster-risk financing at the centre of efforts to strengthen Lagos’ capacity to prepare for and recover from climate-related emergencies.