ABOUT US

Community Emergency Response Initiative (CERI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-religious, and voluntary organization that was established in 2007 by a group of passionate Nigerians who recognized the tremendous challenges faced by various communities especially women and children in tackling the effects of changes in weather and climatic conditions resulting to natural and man-made disasters such as flooding, erosion, landslide, droughts, desert encroachment, water and sanitation and hygiene-related diseases including scabies, typhoid fever, malaria, trachoma and ringworm, diarrhea, and cholera which further makes them more vulnerable to the impact of climate change. CERI also provides First Aid Training and services to its volunteers and community members respectively.

OUR MANDATE

CERI is registered as an NGO under the Companies and Allied Matters Act by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). Thus the vision and mission of CERI are to harness the power of communities through education, training, and volunteer service to make the communities resilient and able to address issues relating to governance, peacebuilding, public health, (Hygiene, Water, and Sanitation) disaster risk reduction, climate change and emergency preparedness and response including the provision of First Aid Service as they affect their lives, health, social wellbeing and livelihoods of the people.

CERI AND PARTNERSHIP

CERI seeks to partner with different organizations in various areas within and outside Government by building strong coalitions and partnerships that will address the capacity needs of people at the grassroots level in the following areas;
Disaster Management,
First Aid Training and Services
Climate Change;
Public Health (Water, Hygiene and Sanitation),
Governance,
Peace Building and Conflict Management.
CERI is a volunteer-based organization that has been in existence since 2007 based on the passionate dreams of some Nigerians who recognized the need to address the challenges posed by natural and human-made disasters as well as other unhealthy situations and conditions that have direct consequences on human life health, and social wellbeing such as water, sanitation, and hygiene-related issues which the citizens are usually exposed to across the country and elsewhere.

CERI aims to sensitize and create awareness of disaster risk reduction, early warning, mitigation, and adaptation to the impact of climate change in various communities in Nigeria and beyond.

OBJECTIVES

To integrate disaster risk management into sustainable development programs and policies for a holistic approach to disaster management.
To build requisite institutional capacities for disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and response at all levels.
Enhance the use of knowledge, education, training, innovation, and information sharing to build safe and resilient societies.

ADMINISTRATIVE SCOPE

CERI was formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria in 2009 with its headquarters in Abuja with at least two branches in each of the six geo-political zones and volunteer membership of over 3,000. CERI is run by an executive director and experienced staff.

CORE VALUES

Capacity building in Disaster Management (Emergency Preparedness, Response, and recovery)
Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Early Warning and
Peace Building and conflict preparedness

Public health issues (Water, Hygiene and Sanitation)

To reduce the impact of Climate Change on the communities and improve adaptation.
To improve the participation of the people in the community in decision-making as well as other issues affecting them.
To mainstream gender into all policy decisions.
To encourage peaceful co-existence and reduce the incidents of conflict among the people at the community level.

To Improve the identification, assessment, and monitoring of early warning signs of Disasters.

VISION

CERI is truly committed to building a resilient community.

MISSION

The mission of CERI is to harness the power of communities through education, training, and volunteer service to make the communities resilient and able to address issues relating to governance, peacebuilding, public health, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and emergency preparedness and response as it affects their lives, health, social wellbeing, and livelihoods.

CERI’s CORE AREAS

CERI has five thematic areas on which it focuses its strengths and resources and these are; Hygiene- Water and Sanitation, Disaster Risk Reduction, Peace Building, Public Health and First Aid Training and Service

The principles and values of the organization are that of commitment, volunteerism, transparency, and partnership.