How to Prevent Deaths and Stampedes During Palliative Distribution in the Future – Minister

In order to prevent future stampedes and fatalities, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, has enumerated some of the procedures that event planners must adhere to while planning future palliative distributions in the nation. 

After deaths were reported during palliative distribution in Abuja, Yilwatda gave his recommendations. Anambra and Ibandan last week.

According to the minister, who was a guest on Channels Television's Morning Brief on Monday, procedures such event registration, police participation, risk assessment, and vulnerability checks, among others, must be followed.

"I want to start by expressing my sympathy to the families and the nation for the lives lost," he added. As a state, we are so depressed by what transpired.We still need to discuss the safety precautions that need be implemented right now, though, notwithstanding the empathy.

You would never hear of a rush, and we provide more food than any other organization.

"Even under more difficult circumstances, we distribute more than these folks are providing, and you won't hear of any hazards." We visit IDP centers and other places where people are more in need.

"So, what procedures are involved in this kind of food distribution? Therefore, scenarios like the stampede and fatalities that are occurring currently occur whenever an event is not properly organized. Protocol is a problem in this country. Additionally, these stampedes occur everywhere, even within nations that are created.

Palliatives cannot be distributed carelessly. For example, you say you want 5,000 people to come and collect in Ibadan, which has a population of over 2 million.

Or in Abuja, where there are two to three million people, you suggest that anyone can come and get in—perhaps as many as 2000 people. You will have since the ratio is too small. Furthermore, social media doesn't even assist the situation because a lot of people show there after you post the information there.

But when you have a program like that, you invite people to sign up and then you choose the individuals who would gain from it.

If there are too many, you then choose distribution points. You mount there were police officers.

"You perform risk assessments and vulnerability checks; these will stop the stampede and deaths."