Concern Worldwide has engaged communities in flood-prone areas in Nsanje on how they can prepare for disasters ahead of the rainy season in the district.
Speaking yesterday during a meeting with Khambadza Village Civil Protection Committee in Senior Chief Mlolo, Concern Worldwide Nsanje district programmes manager Tomy Chimpanzi said they wanted to encourage the people to start engaging in disaster preparedness activities.
He said: “People cannot build resilient communities if they do not prepare for eventualities.
“Again, we want the people to know how to manage and report disasters.”
On his part, group village head Khambadza said about 40 percent of his subjects do not know what to do when disasters strike.
“That is why I appeal to non-governmental organisations [NGOs] to train people in disaster management,” he said.
Khambadza Village Civil Protection Committee treasurer Catherine Adam asked government to provide them with equipment to use during floods.
“We need whistles, gumboots, tents and other things,” she said.
In a separate interview yesterday, Nsanje District Council relief and rehabilitation officer Blessings Kantema said his office, in collaboration with NGOs, will train communities in disaster management to reduce risks during floods.
With funding from Zurich Bank, Concern Worldwide is implementing a three-year project dubbed Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance that seeks to reduce hazards of flooding in Nsanje.
This year, 6 904 households were affected by floods in the district.
Last week, the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services announced that the country will experience a good rainfall pattern in the coming season, but warned about the possibility of floods due to climate change.
Meanwhile, the Department of Disaster Management Affairs has said they are prepared to handle any disasters that may befall the country during the season.
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