Recommendations for Improving Information Dissemination to Better Support the Needs of Flood-Affected Populations: Lessons from Yobe State, Nigeria

Musa; Dumbari Yakubu; Aminu Manuwa

doi:10.56201/ijssmr.vol.12no1.2026.pg311.322

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Recommendations for Improving Information Dissemination to Better Support the Needs of Flood-Affected Populations: Lessons from Yobe State, Nigeria

Musa, Dumbari Yakubu, Aminu Manuwa

Abstract

Recurrent and devastating flood events in Yobe State, Nigeria, have consistently exposed the vulnerability of local populations, with recent assessments indicating tens of thousands of individuals affected annually. A critical factor exacerbating the humanitarian crisis is the inadequacy of the current information dissemination framework, which often fails to provide timely, accurate, and actionable information to the most affected communities. This paper, structured as a systematic literature review and desk research, aims to identify the specific challenges hindering effective flood risk communication in Yobe State and based on established global best practices and theoretical frameworks, propose a comprehensive set of recommendations for improvement. Drawing on the principles of risk communication and community engagement and the Theory of Distribution of Access to Information, the study synthesizes findings that point to significant barriers, including deep-seated community mistrust in official sources, infrastructural limitations, and a failure to leverage appropriate local communication channels. The results are presented through a structured analysis of the current state, leading to a discussion that links theoretical concepts to practical, context- specific solutions. The paper concludes with a detailed set of recommendations focusing on a multi-channel, community-centric, and policy-driven approach to ensure that information serves as a vital tool for resilience and disaster mitigation in Yobe State.

Keywords

Information DisseminationFlood Risk CommunicationDisaster ManagementCommunity EngagementHumanitarian ResponseYobe StateNigeria.

References

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Recommendations for Improving Information Dissemination to Better Support the Needs of Flood-Affected Populations: Lessons from Yobe State, Nigeria

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