adminMakandida Chamboko Beitbridge Correspondent
The Civil Protection Unit has launched a community based disaster risk management programme in low lying areas in Beitbridge district which are perennially affected by floods.Speaking during the launch at Chituripasi in ward One on Wednesday, District CPU chairman Peter Moyo said the main objective was to empower the community with disaster management and preparedness knowledge.
“The main idea is to ensure that communities are prepared for disaster through optimal disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and response planning as well as recovery at ward level,” he said.
Moyo said it was important to impart and share information on policy and legislation for disaster risk reduction.
He said the CPU was worried about the recurrence of people losing life and property due to floods.
Moyo urged people to familiarise themselves with issues around climate change and disaster trends in their area.
“This is a countrywide programme that is being launched in areas where incidents of flooding are rife especially during the rainy season. We have been educating and training community leaders on methods of mitigating the effects of the disasters such as fire outbreaks, floods and epidemics among others,” he said.
Moyo said around 100 villagers had been trained on community based disaster risk management.
He said areas such as Chituripasi, Tshikwalakwala, and Chipise were at risk of floods and hence the need to educate the community on potential disasters in the area.
In January last year a total of 43 homesteads in Beitbridge’s ward one were destroyed by floods and more than 200 people were left homeless.
A total of 12 people were also killed in floods-related incidents in the district.
Online Reporter