Flooding remains one of Nigeria’s most destructive and persistent natural disasters, ravaging riverine and low-lying communities, displacing families, and crippling livelihoods year after year. The increasing frequency and severity of these floods underscore the urgent need for stronger, more localized early warning systems that empower communities to act before disaster strikes.

In response, the REBUMAA (Resilience Building Through Multistakeholder Approach in Anticipatory Action for Climate Induced Disaster) project has taken a proactive approach to flood resilience by installing 20 manual river gauges across nine flood-prone communities and establishing a Community-Based Early Warning System (CBEWS). Through this initiative, 90 community members have been trained to collect data, monitor river levels, disseminate warnings, and coordinate with emergency management agencies.

Implemented across Kwara, Ogun, and Enugu States, the project bridges the gap between data and action, ensuring that information about rising water levels is detected early and shared quickly with those most at risk.

More than just equipment, the REBUMAA project represents a shift toward anticipatory action (AA), a preparedness model that emphasizes prevention and community ownership. By equipping residents with both the tools and knowledge to respond effectively, the project is fostering a culture of readiness that reduces losses and strengthens resilience.