The Togolese Red Cross, in collaboration with the German Red Cross and financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), recently conducted flood response simulations in six localities along the Oti and Koumongou rivers. The exercise, which took place on September 25, targeted communities in the prefectures of Oti and Oti-Sud.
The simulations covered Faré-Haut, Nakpiékou, Tadéri, and Poporokou in the Oti prefecture, and Nalogbandi and Nagangou in the Oti-Sud prefecture. The goal was to equip communities with essential knowledge and skills to respond effectively in the event of floods. The initiative is part of the third phase of the "Institutional Capacity Strengthening in Disaster Preparedness and Climate Change Adaptation" (RIC-ACC) project.
Before the simulations, community members were sensitized on the behaviors to adopt in case of floods and the various arrangements outlined in the contingency plan. The training sessions focused on emergency response, setting up an infirmary, registering displaced persons, and organizing spaces for cooking, children, and people with disabilities.
The simulations were followed by practical exercises that allowed participants to apply the instructions received in the event of a disaster. These exercises evaluated the communities' ability to respond promptly and effectively to flood-related emergencies.
After the simulations, evaluation sessions were held to assess the outcomes, challenges encountered, and areas for improvement in the preparedness plan. The regional coordinator of the Savanes branch of the Togolese Red Cross, Karabou Amélouzim, and the head of the Dapaong office of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Jean Damascène Nambaje, commended the communities' mobilization and the arrangements made to anticipate flood consequences.
The project RIC-ACC aims to sustainably reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate-related risks. It involves the transfer and dissemination of knowledge and adaptation techniques, strengthening the technical and institutional capacities of the Red Cross in disaster prevention, and improving national emergency preparedness mechanisms.
Local government representatives expressed their satisfaction with the initiative, noting its contribution to enhancing the preparedness of communities exposed to floods. They also announced their intention to share the outcomes of these exercises with other vulnerable localities to promote a broader culture of resilience and preparedness.
Key points
- The simulations were part of a broader project aimed at reducing community vulnerability to climate-related risks.
- The initiative was a collaboration between the Togolese Red Cross, German Red Cross, and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.
- The exercise covered six localities in the prefectures of Oti and Oti-Sud.
