Cadecom in disaster mitigation project

The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (Cadecom) recently embarked on a community participatory low-cost disaster mitigation and water and sanitation project in Mulanje District.

Speaking during a district executive committee meeting on Tuesday, Blantyre Archdiocese diocesan secretary Peter Pangani said the project focuses on disaster risk reduction, capacity building and community-led total sanitation technologies.

“This is a project through which we are trying to empower people with disaster risk reduction technologies with the aim of minimising damages in the event of disaster. We also want to help them improve water, sanitation and hygiene issues in their areas,” said Pangani.

He explained that the project would also strengthen the capacity of Cadecom staff and communities to plan and monitor low-cost disaster mitigation technologies.

With easy and better access to safe water and improved sanitation, Pangani hoped the project would eventually improve the health and general well-being of people in the district.

Mulanje district council administration officer Daniel Chizizi urged Cadecom to remain committed to their cause.

He said the project had the potential of transforming the lives of many people if well implemented.

The project is worth 150 000 euros (about K73.6 million) and will run up to August 31 2015.