National Emergency Management Agency’s Response to Cameroonian Refugee Crisis in Sardauna Local Government Area of Taraba State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study evaluates the effectiveness of the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA) response to the refugee crisis, focusing on its preparedness, recovery efforts, and coordination with stakeholders. Using a documentary research design, the study analyzes official reports, policy documents, and academic literature to assess NEMA's interventions in providing food, shelter, healthcare, and protection services to refugees. The findings reveal that while NEMA has made commendable efforts in delivering immediate relief, its effectiveness is hindered by inadequate funding, logistical constraints, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Additionally, the absence of a comprehensive legal framework for refugee management in Nigeria complicates NEMA’s operations, leading to gaps in long-term solutions and sustainable integration strategies. The study highlights the importance of strengthening inter-agency collaboration, enhancing disaster risk reduction measures, and promoting social cohesion between refugees and host communities. By adopting a holistic approach that integrates emergency response, humanitarian assistance, disaster risk reduction, and refugee protection policies, NEMA can improve its capacity to manage similar
crises in the future. Recommendations include the enhancement of NEMA’s funding and logistical capacity, institutionalization of a national legal framework for refugee protection, and the adoption of a holistic model that integrates emergency response, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian assistance, and refugee protection. This approach would significantly improve NEMA's capacity
to manage similar crises effectively.