Nigeria has taken a major step toward improving disaster preparedness with the launch of a National Mass-Fatality Response Plan, designed to ensure dignity for victims and structured coordination during emergencies.
Developed by the Federal Government in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the plan introduces a standardized system for managing mass deaths caused by disasters such as floods, building collapses, transportation accidents, and armed conflict. It outlines protocols for search and recovery, victim identification, and respectful burial or repatriation of remains.
The ICRC praised Nigeria’s leadership for prioritizing humanitarian ethics in emergency management. “This plan ensures dignity for the dead and support for the living,” the organization said in a joint statement. It will also train first responders, medical workers, and morgue personnel in evidence preservation and mental health support for affected families.
Experts believe this framework could strengthen public trust in disaster response efforts while closing long-standing gaps between federal and state agencies. As climate change and insecurity continue to increase risks across the country, the plan represents a forward-thinking shift from reaction to preparedness.
Every life, and every loss, deserves dignity and remembrance.