Latest news with #NEMA
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
7 hours ago
- Business
- First Post
Nigeria: Nearly 200 dead in floods, govt says about 30 of 33 states affected
Severe flooding in Nigeria's Niger State has displaced nearly 2,000 people and killed close to 200, according to the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) read more Damaged buildings following floods in Mokwa, Niger State, on June 1. AFP File Severe flooding in Nigeria's Niger State has displaced nearly 2,000 people and killed close to 200, according to a Bloomberg report, citing the country's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel said on the disaster, which began in late May in the town of Mokwa, has affected more than 3,000 residents and left 98 missing. Mokwa, a key agricultural and transport hub in central Nigeria, has seen extensive damage to farmland, homes, roads, and bridges. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The flooding has disrupted trade routes linking southern Nigeria to northern food-producing regions, further threatening the country's already fragile food supply chain. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) described Mokwa as playing a 'strategic role in regional commerce and transportation,' warning that the flooding could intensify economic disruption across the region. Meteorologists forecast that the flooding could worsen in the coming months, with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency warning that 30 of Nigeria's 36 states are at risk this year. Heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected this week in major northern agricultural states, including Taraba, Kaduna, and Gombe. The floods come amid ongoing insecurity in northern Nigeria, where frequent bandit attacks have already displaced farmers and disrupted food production. Combined with last year's floods that wiped out thousands of acres of farmland, this year's disaster threatens to deepen the country's food crisis. The United Nations estimates that 33 million Nigerians could face food insecurity in 2025, a figure that may rise as climate-related disasters and conflict continue to plague key agricultural zones. With inputs from agencies
DW
9 hours ago
- Climate
- DW
Nigeria flood crisis worsens amid aid delays – DW – 06/02/2025
Thousands of people have been left homeless and hungry after devastating floods hit central Nigeria. Survivors say help is not coming fast enough. Authorities in Nigeria say at least 200 people are now known to have died from major floods in the country's north-central state of Niger. Hundreds more are feared missing. In Mokwa, the worst-hit area, aid from the federal government has yet to reach most of those affected. Mokwa, nearly 380 kilometers (236 miles) west of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, is a key local hub for traders from Nigeria's south and farmers from the north. The floods, said to be the worst in the area for 60 years, swept through the towns of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa after a bout of torrential rain. "A lot of people do not have food to eat. There's no food. There is no shelter. Some people are just hanging around. Some do not even have clothing," Abubakar Hussaini from Humanity First, an internatonal aid agency, told DW. "If you look at the conditions really, people are looking for assistance where they can get shelter, clothing and food." This is despite assurances by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who on Saturday wrote on his X account that aid was to be released with "no delay." "Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilized to support the state government's efforts," he said on social media. "Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay." Growing desperation The humanitarian crisis, marked by food scarcity, homelessness and the dire need for basic necessities has left many stranded. Death toll in Nigeria flooding rises to at least 200 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Aishatu Bello, a retired teacher who lost everything in the floods, expressed anger towards the authorities and the slow speed at which relief is coming. "I have lived all my life here. The situation now, hunger. No home to sleep. There's no shelter," Bello told DW. "We are squatting at a neighbor's house. So it's a problem. We are homeless. We need assistance from the government." Other people are concerned about how they will rebuild their lives. Markets were destroyed and many businesses lost essential equipment in the flood. "I don't know what will happen next. I'm a family man. My fear is where to start again. That's what we don't know. We have never received anything from [the] government," Isaac Abel, a printing company worker who has lived in Mokwa town for 13 years, told DW. On Sunday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced it had started the process of providing relief packages to people affected. NEMA said that roads and bridges were also affected by the floods, which has impacted the local economy and traffic. On Friday, the Nigerian Red Cross released a statement saying the floods had caused "significant loss of life and widespread distress." There are now fears of a disease outbreak in the affected areas, according to Hussaini from Humanity First. "Some dead bodies are yet to be discovered. Up to now, the search is still going on," he said. Flood grant promises under scrutiny Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has come under fire after appealing to Nigerians on X for donations to help flood victims. Questions have been raised about why the state government is seeking public donations just six months after Bago announced a $10 million World Bank grant would fund flood prevention in Mokwa. During a tour in December, Bago assured journalists that the funds would be used to address flooding in the area. But the same communities that were supposed to benefit from the grant have now been devastated. Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of tangible results from the much-publicized World Bank assistance. "Our people are in danger; they need help from the government. We lost so much," said Tanko Bala, leader of Mokwa's Hausa community. Why is flooding so dangerous in Nigeria? Initial reports had pointed to a dam breach in Niger state leading to the current flooding affecting Mokwa town and surroundings. Over 150 people killed in Nigeria floods To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video However, the authorities have dismissed the dam breach claims saying flooding was worsened by erosion in the affected areas. Nigeria's meteorological agency warned of possible flash floods in 15 of the country's 36 states, including Niger State, between Wednesday and Friday. Floods are common during Nigeria's rainy season, which lasts from April until October and often results in loss of life. A lack of drainage, the construction of homes on waterways and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels all worsen the flooding. Nigeria suffered one of its worst disasters in decades in 2024, with flooding killing more than 1,200 people and displacing another 1.2 million. The flooding, which impacted 31 of the country's 36 states, also destroyed more than 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) of farmland. Edited by: Keith Walker
DW
a day ago
- Politics
- DW
Nigeria: Desperation grows as aid delays hit floods – DW – 06/02/2025
Thousands of people have been left homeless and hungry after devastating floods hit central Nigeria. Survivors say help is not coming fast enough. Authorities in Nigeria say at least 200 people are now known to have died from major floods in the country's north-central state of Niger. Hundreds more are feared missing. In Mokwa, the worst-hit area, aid from the federal government has yet to reach most of those affected. Mokwa, nearly 380 kilometers (236 miles) west of Nigeria's capital, Abuja, is a key local hub for traders from Nigeria's south and farmers from the north. The floods, said to be the worst in the area for 60 years, swept through the towns of Tiffin Maza and Anguwan Hausawa after a bout of torrential rain. "A lot of people do not have food to eat. There's no food. There is no shelter. Some people are just hanging around. Some do not even have clothing," Abubakar Hussaini from Humanity First, an aid agency, told DW. "If you look at the conditions really, people are looking for assistance where they can get shelter, clothing and food." This is despite assurances by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who on Saturday wrote on his X account stating that aid was to be released with "no delay." "Search-and-rescue operations are ongoing, and all relevant federal agencies have been mobilized to support the state government's efforts," Tinubu said on social media. "Relief materials and temporary shelter assistance are being deployed without delay." Growing desperation The humanitarian crisis, marked by food scarcity, homelessness and the dire need for basic necessities has left many stranded. Death toll in Nigeria flooding rises to at least 200 To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Aishatu Bello, a retired teacher who lost everything in the floods, expressed anger towards authorities and the slow speed at which relief is coming. "I have lived all my life here. The situation now, hunger. No home to sleep. There's no shelter," ," Bello told DW. "We are squatting at a neighbor's house. So it's a problem. We are homeless. We need assistance from the government." Other people are concerned about how they will rebuild their lives. Markets were destroyed and many businesses lost essential equipment in the flood. "I don't know what will happen next. I'm a family man. My fear is where to start again. That's what we don't know. We have never received anything from [the] government," Isaac Abel, a printing company worker who has lived in Mokwa town for 13 years, told DW. On Sunday, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced it had started the process of providing relief packages to people affected. The NEMA said that roads and bridges were also affected by the floods, which has impacted the local economy and traffic. On Friday, the Nigerian Red Cross released a statement saying the floods had caused "significant loss of life and widespread distress." There are now fears of a disease outbreak in the affected areas, according to Hussaini from Humanity First. "Some dead bodies are yet to be discovered. Up to now, the search is still going on," he said. Flood grant promises under scrutiny Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has come under fire after appealing to Nigerians on X for donations to help flood victims. Questions have been raised about why the state government is seeking public donations just six months after Bago announced a $10 million World Bank grant would fund flood prevention in Mokwa. During a tour in December, Bago assured journalists that the funds would be used to address flooding in the local government area. But the same communities that were supposed to benefit from the grant have now been devastated. Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of tangible results from the much-publicized World Bank assistance. "Our people are in danger; they need help from the government. We lost so much," said Tanko Bala, leader of Mokwa's Hausa community. Why is flooding so dangerous in Nigeria? Initial reports had pointed to a dam breach in Niger state leading to the current flooding affecting Mokwa town and surroundings. Over 150 people killed in Nigeria floods To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video However, authorities have dismissed the dam breach claims saying flooding was worsened by erosion in the affected areas. Nigeria's meteorological agency warned of possible flash floods in 15 of the country's 36 states, including Niger State, between Wednesday and Friday. Floods are common during Nigeria's rainy season, which lasts from April until October and often results in loss of life. A lack of drainage, the construction of homes on waterways and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels all worsen the flooding. Nigeria suffered one of its worst disasters in decades in 2024, with flooding killing more than 1,200 people and displacing another 1.2 million. The flooding, which impacted 31 of the country's 36 states, also destroyed more than 1.4 million hectares (3.5 million acres) of farmland. Edited by: Keith Walker
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Climate
- Russia Today
Over 150 killed in catastrophic flooding in African state (VIDEO)
The death toll from flooding in central Nigeria has reached 153, local authorities confirmed on Saturday, as search-and-rescue efforts continue. The updated figures were provided by Ibrahim Hussaini, head of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), who said the disaster in the town of Mokwa followed heavy rains that began late Wednesday and lasted into Thursday. Hussaini reported that at least 3,018 people had been displaced, with 503 households and 265 homes impacted. Three communities were completely washed away, he added. In response to the disaster, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) convened a stakeholder meeting in Niger State on Friday. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has directed NEMA and national security forces to step up search-and-rescue operations in the affected zones. Alongside emergency response efforts, Tinubu has ordered the National Orientation Agency to intensify public awareness campaigns in flood-prone areas to improve preparedness and response for future disasters. In April, the minister of water resources and sanitation, Joseph Utsev, identified 32 Nigerian states and the FCT as high flood-risk zones, warning that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of flooding. He highlighted coastal and riverine areas, including the states of Bayelsa, Delta, Lagos, and Rivers, as particularly vulnerable to sea level rise and tidal surges, which could affect fishing, wildlife, and navigation. Mokwa, located in Niger State, serves as a vital trade corridor connecting agricultural producers in the north with traders in the south. Nigeria is prone to flooding during its rainy season, which typically begins in April. Last September, dozens of people were killed and others trapped after devastating floods swept through Nigeria's northeastern Borno State. Sirajo Garba, the northeast zonal coordinator for NEMA, said over 1,000 people had been rescued, and that more than 70,000 displaced persons were staying in seven camps.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Who's responsible for small businesses surviving disasters?
My heart breaks for the communities currently devastated by floods across NSW. But it aches even more for the small-business owners and farmers trying to stay afloat - again. In disaster after disaster, they are among the first to be affected and the last to recover. While saving lives is always the top priority, we need to talk seriously about livelihoods. A lost business or farm isn't just an economic loss, it's a personal tragedy, a collapse of purpose and, in some cases, a precursor to additional loss of life. Without livelihoods, communities struggle to recover. The 2011 National Strategy for Disaster Resilience introduced the concept of "shared responsibility" in Australia's approach to emergencies. But what does that mean in practice when it comes to small businesses and farms? And have we progressed any further since 2011? Let's be honest: the primary responsibility for continuity lies with the business or farm owner. But the reality is, most small-business owners aren't risk analysts or continuity planners. A pub owner in a regional town is likely managing shifts and stock, not developing a flood risk management plan. MORE OPINION: A farmer running a multi-generational cattle property may be juggling drought, debt, and livestock, not drafting an evacuation or recovery blueprint. A hairdresser in a small coastal town is thinking about customers and payroll, not business impact assessments. So, whose job is it to ensure these vital parts of our community survive and bounce forward after disasters? The answer should be: all of us. Small businesses and farms are the social and economic backbone of Australia's regions. According to Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson, they employ nearly half the private sector workforce. Yet the average small business operator earns below minimum wage. They're investing everything - often including their family homes - to keep going. It's unconscionable that these stakeholders remain a blind spot in national disaster policy and practice. Will the newly appointed Minister for Small Business, Cowan MP Dr Anne Aly, prioritises disaster resilience for this sector? Or does the responsibility fall to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the body charged with driving national resilience? Perhaps it's both. And what about the state governments, who are closer to the ground? In this complex landscape, the NSW Reconstruction Authority offers a compelling example of what "good" looks like. Their collaboration with certified social enterprise Resilient Ready in the Business Beyond Disasters Northern Rivers program demonstrates how small business resilience expertise can be effectively deployed through targeted government investment. This kind of partnership is exactly what's needed - programs developed by people who understand the real challenges small operators face and can meet them where they are. But timing is critical. We keep talking about the need for a window between disasters to work on preparedness. That window no longer exists. In our new reality of compounding and cascading disasters, we must prepare as we recover. Resilience isn't a nice-to-have anymore, it's an operational necessity. We must do disasters differently. That means embedding resilience thinking into every layer of recovery funding and programming. It means funding practical, place-based support for small businesses that focuses not only on rebuilding but rethinking how to reduce risk. It also means creating space for peer-to-peer learning, local storytelling and connection because resilience grows through relationships. Responsibility is not just on the business owner or farmer. Work delivered with the Torrens Resilience Initiative for the South Australian grape and wine sector last year very clearly showed there's much more to be done. The government must better understand how and why small businesses and farmers are key to community resilience. The Productivity Commission's 2023 report into natural disaster funding called for a rebalancing toward mitigation and risk reduction, not just response and recovery. That rebalancing must include tailored support for small businesses and farmers. Let's stop pretending these operators should fend for themselves. Let's recognise that their survival is not only their responsibility but a shared national priority. Because when small businesses and farms fall, whole communities fall with them. We must enable them to connect, survive and thrive, not just endure. That's not only a smart investment in Australia's economic future, it's the right thing to do. My heart breaks for the communities currently devastated by floods across NSW. But it aches even more for the small-business owners and farmers trying to stay afloat - again. In disaster after disaster, they are among the first to be affected and the last to recover. While saving lives is always the top priority, we need to talk seriously about livelihoods. A lost business or farm isn't just an economic loss, it's a personal tragedy, a collapse of purpose and, in some cases, a precursor to additional loss of life. Without livelihoods, communities struggle to recover. The 2011 National Strategy for Disaster Resilience introduced the concept of "shared responsibility" in Australia's approach to emergencies. But what does that mean in practice when it comes to small businesses and farms? And have we progressed any further since 2011? Let's be honest: the primary responsibility for continuity lies with the business or farm owner. But the reality is, most small-business owners aren't risk analysts or continuity planners. A pub owner in a regional town is likely managing shifts and stock, not developing a flood risk management plan. MORE OPINION: A farmer running a multi-generational cattle property may be juggling drought, debt, and livestock, not drafting an evacuation or recovery blueprint. A hairdresser in a small coastal town is thinking about customers and payroll, not business impact assessments. So, whose job is it to ensure these vital parts of our community survive and bounce forward after disasters? The answer should be: all of us. Small businesses and farms are the social and economic backbone of Australia's regions. According to Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson, they employ nearly half the private sector workforce. Yet the average small business operator earns below minimum wage. They're investing everything - often including their family homes - to keep going. It's unconscionable that these stakeholders remain a blind spot in national disaster policy and practice. Will the newly appointed Minister for Small Business, Cowan MP Dr Anne Aly, prioritises disaster resilience for this sector? Or does the responsibility fall to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the body charged with driving national resilience? Perhaps it's both. And what about the state governments, who are closer to the ground? In this complex landscape, the NSW Reconstruction Authority offers a compelling example of what "good" looks like. Their collaboration with certified social enterprise Resilient Ready in the Business Beyond Disasters Northern Rivers program demonstrates how small business resilience expertise can be effectively deployed through targeted government investment. This kind of partnership is exactly what's needed - programs developed by people who understand the real challenges small operators face and can meet them where they are. But timing is critical. We keep talking about the need for a window between disasters to work on preparedness. That window no longer exists. In our new reality of compounding and cascading disasters, we must prepare as we recover. Resilience isn't a nice-to-have anymore, it's an operational necessity. We must do disasters differently. That means embedding resilience thinking into every layer of recovery funding and programming. It means funding practical, place-based support for small businesses that focuses not only on rebuilding but rethinking how to reduce risk. It also means creating space for peer-to-peer learning, local storytelling and connection because resilience grows through relationships. Responsibility is not just on the business owner or farmer. Work delivered with the Torrens Resilience Initiative for the South Australian grape and wine sector last year very clearly showed there's much more to be done. The government must better understand how and why small businesses and farmers are key to community resilience. The Productivity Commission's 2023 report into natural disaster funding called for a rebalancing toward mitigation and risk reduction, not just response and recovery. That rebalancing must include tailored support for small businesses and farmers. Let's stop pretending these operators should fend for themselves. Let's recognise that their survival is not only their responsibility but a shared national priority. Because when small businesses and farms fall, whole communities fall with them. We must enable them to connect, survive and thrive, not just endure. That's not only a smart investment in Australia's economic future, it's the right thing to do. My heart breaks for the communities currently devastated by floods across NSW. But it aches even more for the small-business owners and farmers trying to stay afloat - again. In disaster after disaster, they are among the first to be affected and the last to recover. While saving lives is always the top priority, we need to talk seriously about livelihoods. A lost business or farm isn't just an economic loss, it's a personal tragedy, a collapse of purpose and, in some cases, a precursor to additional loss of life. Without livelihoods, communities struggle to recover. The 2011 National Strategy for Disaster Resilience introduced the concept of "shared responsibility" in Australia's approach to emergencies. But what does that mean in practice when it comes to small businesses and farms? And have we progressed any further since 2011? Let's be honest: the primary responsibility for continuity lies with the business or farm owner. But the reality is, most small-business owners aren't risk analysts or continuity planners. A pub owner in a regional town is likely managing shifts and stock, not developing a flood risk management plan. MORE OPINION: A farmer running a multi-generational cattle property may be juggling drought, debt, and livestock, not drafting an evacuation or recovery blueprint. A hairdresser in a small coastal town is thinking about customers and payroll, not business impact assessments. So, whose job is it to ensure these vital parts of our community survive and bounce forward after disasters? The answer should be: all of us. Small businesses and farms are the social and economic backbone of Australia's regions. According to Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson, they employ nearly half the private sector workforce. Yet the average small business operator earns below minimum wage. They're investing everything - often including their family homes - to keep going. It's unconscionable that these stakeholders remain a blind spot in national disaster policy and practice. Will the newly appointed Minister for Small Business, Cowan MP Dr Anne Aly, prioritises disaster resilience for this sector? Or does the responsibility fall to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the body charged with driving national resilience? Perhaps it's both. And what about the state governments, who are closer to the ground? In this complex landscape, the NSW Reconstruction Authority offers a compelling example of what "good" looks like. Their collaboration with certified social enterprise Resilient Ready in the Business Beyond Disasters Northern Rivers program demonstrates how small business resilience expertise can be effectively deployed through targeted government investment. This kind of partnership is exactly what's needed - programs developed by people who understand the real challenges small operators face and can meet them where they are. But timing is critical. We keep talking about the need for a window between disasters to work on preparedness. That window no longer exists. In our new reality of compounding and cascading disasters, we must prepare as we recover. Resilience isn't a nice-to-have anymore, it's an operational necessity. We must do disasters differently. That means embedding resilience thinking into every layer of recovery funding and programming. It means funding practical, place-based support for small businesses that focuses not only on rebuilding but rethinking how to reduce risk. It also means creating space for peer-to-peer learning, local storytelling and connection because resilience grows through relationships. Responsibility is not just on the business owner or farmer. Work delivered with the Torrens Resilience Initiative for the South Australian grape and wine sector last year very clearly showed there's much more to be done. The government must better understand how and why small businesses and farmers are key to community resilience. The Productivity Commission's 2023 report into natural disaster funding called for a rebalancing toward mitigation and risk reduction, not just response and recovery. That rebalancing must include tailored support for small businesses and farmers. Let's stop pretending these operators should fend for themselves. Let's recognise that their survival is not only their responsibility but a shared national priority. Because when small businesses and farms fall, whole communities fall with them. We must enable them to connect, survive and thrive, not just endure. That's not only a smart investment in Australia's economic future, it's the right thing to do. My heart breaks for the communities currently devastated by floods across NSW. But it aches even more for the small-business owners and farmers trying to stay afloat - again. In disaster after disaster, they are among the first to be affected and the last to recover. While saving lives is always the top priority, we need to talk seriously about livelihoods. A lost business or farm isn't just an economic loss, it's a personal tragedy, a collapse of purpose and, in some cases, a precursor to additional loss of life. Without livelihoods, communities struggle to recover. The 2011 National Strategy for Disaster Resilience introduced the concept of "shared responsibility" in Australia's approach to emergencies. But what does that mean in practice when it comes to small businesses and farms? And have we progressed any further since 2011? Let's be honest: the primary responsibility for continuity lies with the business or farm owner. But the reality is, most small-business owners aren't risk analysts or continuity planners. A pub owner in a regional town is likely managing shifts and stock, not developing a flood risk management plan. MORE OPINION: A farmer running a multi-generational cattle property may be juggling drought, debt, and livestock, not drafting an evacuation or recovery blueprint. A hairdresser in a small coastal town is thinking about customers and payroll, not business impact assessments. So, whose job is it to ensure these vital parts of our community survive and bounce forward after disasters? The answer should be: all of us. Small businesses and farms are the social and economic backbone of Australia's regions. According to Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Bruce Billson, they employ nearly half the private sector workforce. Yet the average small business operator earns below minimum wage. They're investing everything - often including their family homes - to keep going. It's unconscionable that these stakeholders remain a blind spot in national disaster policy and practice. Will the newly appointed Minister for Small Business, Cowan MP Dr Anne Aly, prioritises disaster resilience for this sector? Or does the responsibility fall to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the body charged with driving national resilience? Perhaps it's both. And what about the state governments, who are closer to the ground? In this complex landscape, the NSW Reconstruction Authority offers a compelling example of what "good" looks like. Their collaboration with certified social enterprise Resilient Ready in the Business Beyond Disasters Northern Rivers program demonstrates how small business resilience expertise can be effectively deployed through targeted government investment. This kind of partnership is exactly what's needed - programs developed by people who understand the real challenges small operators face and can meet them where they are. But timing is critical. We keep talking about the need for a window between disasters to work on preparedness. That window no longer exists. In our new reality of compounding and cascading disasters, we must prepare as we recover. Resilience isn't a nice-to-have anymore, it's an operational necessity. We must do disasters differently. That means embedding resilience thinking into every layer of recovery funding and programming. It means funding practical, place-based support for small businesses that focuses not only on rebuilding but rethinking how to reduce risk. It also means creating space for peer-to-peer learning, local storytelling and connection because resilience grows through relationships. Responsibility is not just on the business owner or farmer. Work delivered with the Torrens Resilience Initiative for the South Australian grape and wine sector last year very clearly showed there's much more to be done. The government must better understand how and why small businesses and farmers are key to community resilience. The Productivity Commission's 2023 report into natural disaster funding called for a rebalancing toward mitigation and risk reduction, not just response and recovery. That rebalancing must include tailored support for small businesses and farmers. Let's stop pretending these operators should fend for themselves. Let's recognise that their survival is not only their responsibility but a shared national priority. Because when small businesses and farms fall, whole communities fall with them. We must enable them to connect, survive and thrive, not just endure. That's not only a smart investment in Australia's economic future, it's the right thing to do.
