The United States of America has boosted Nigeria’s capacity to manage disasters and pandemics. Yesterday in Abuja, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Brewer officially handed over the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan, the Armed Forces of Nigeria Pandemic Contingency Plan and the Military Assistance to Civil Authorities (MACA) Disaster Contingency Plan during a ceremony at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

“These documents will provide guidance for an effective response in the event of severe pandemics or other disasters in Nigeria,” the U.S. Embassy said in a statement.

The event was attended by U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defence (Health Affairs) Dr. Jonathan Woodson; Deputy Commander Military Operations, USAFRICOM, Lieutenant General Steven Hummer; Hon. Minister of Health, Nigeria, Professor Onyebuchi Chukwu; representative of the Chief of Defence Staff, Nigerian Armed Forces; Hon. Minister for Women Affairs, Hajia Zainab Maina; Director General, Nigeria Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)], Alhaji Muhammad Sidi and other senior government officials.

In her remarks, Brewer noted that “USAFRICOM engagements in disaster preparedness with Nigeria since 2009 have strengthened partnerships and friendships, which have enhanced regional collaboration and national pandemic preparedness and disaster response plans.”

News Express learnt that the official handover will be followed by a seven-day training event which will include: plan familiarization briefings to clarify the roles and responsibilities of civil and military authorities during pandemics and other disasters; a tabletop exercise to identify current strengths, weaknesses, gaps and development of a 5-year Disaster Management Strategic Work Plan to outline potential support for capacity and capability building in partnership with the United States Government via the United States Africa Command.

“The development of these plans and the execution of this event is a result of the United States Africa Command’s Disaster Preparedness Program, implemented by the Center for Disaster and Humanitarian Assistance Medicine,” the U.S. Embassy said.

•Photo shows U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Brewer.