Eastern strengthens disaster preparedness

Eastern Province Assistant Secretary Clement Chilembo says the province is strengthening disaster preparedness measures to minimise loss of lives and property during natural disasters. Mr Chilembo said early warning and adequate preparation were critical in reducing the impact of…

Eastern Province Assistant Secretary Clement Chilembo says the province is strengthening disaster preparedness measures to minimise loss of lives and property during natural disasters.

Mr Chilembo said early warning and adequate preparation were critical in reducing the impact of disasters, instead of relying on ad-hoc responses after disasters occurred.

Mr Chilembo was speaking when a joint team from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the National Disaster Risk Management Division (NDRMD) visited him at his office.

Mr Chilembo said early warning systems were important because advance information enabled authorities and communities to prepare adequately for anticipated disasters.

“To be warned is very important, because when you are warned it means you will be able to prepare properly,” he said.

Mr Chilembo said ad-hoc responses were often ineffective and came with several challenges that could result in loss of lives and property.

He said Government has not worked in isolation in disaster management but partnered with reputable institutions, including the United Nations and other cooperating partners.

Mr Chilembo welcomed the involvement of WFP in strengthening disaster preparedness, noting that the organisation had worked with Government for many years to support communities affected by disasters.

He said such partnerships had helped communities understand disasters and access materials and other support to cope with their effects.

Mr Chilembo cited the recent disaster in Lundazi District as a reminder of the need to strengthen preparedness and response mechanisms.

He said training district staff in disaster preparedness would enhance the capacity of authorities to respond effectively to emergencies.

Mr Chilembo said district commissioners and their disaster management committees were functional, while the province also had a Provincial Disaster Management Committee supported by a secretariat and relevant staff.

He said information and skills gained from the workshop would help the province and districts improve their preparedness measures.

Mr Chilembo also stressed the importance of budgeting for disaster preparedness, saying budgets enabled authorities to identify their needs and determine the financial and material resources required.

“At the end of the workshop, people have to make budgets. Budgets are very important because they will tell us what our needs are, the amounts of resources required, be it financial or material,” he said.

He called for a multi-sectoral approach involving Government ministries, departments and agencies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to maximise available resources in disaster preparedness and response.

Mr Chilembo said simple preventive measures, such as securing roofs before strong winds occurred, could help reduce damage to property.

“If we secure our roofs, we will prevent the roofs from being blown off,” he said.

He assured that Eastern Province would use the information and skills gained from the workshop to strengthen preparedness and protect lives and property.

“We will fine-tune our efforts to ensure property is protected, life is protected and even if a wind comes on board, we shall surmount the effects of this particular natural disaster,” he said.