CPU needs $3m for disaster management

Senior Reporter
The Civil Protection Unit requires at least $3 million to prepare for disaster and risk management during the 2014/15 rainy season. CPU director Mr Madzudzo Pawadyira yesterday said preparations for disaster management were on course and the unit would soon start awareness campaigns in areas that usually experience floods. “We need about $3 million so that we adequately prepare. We need to carry out awareness campaigns, procure medicines and evacuate people to safe areas in the event of floods.
“We are preparing to go to areas that usually experience problems during the rainy season.

“Last year we received normal to above normal rains and now we are aware of the areas that usually experience floods. Areas such as Muzarabani, Gokwe North and South, Beitbridge, Chiqualaquala, Tsholotsho and Middle Sabi and Nyanga are prone to floods.

“We are going to engage the communities in these areas and come up with strategies on what should be done in the event of floods. We will also re-adjust our plans after the onset of the rainfall season depending with the nature of the rains,” he said. Mr Pawadyira said CPU would be working in conjunction with the police, Air force of Zimbabwe, Meteorological Services Department (MSD), health experts, hydrology experts and agritex officers in the awareness campaigns.

“Too much rain or too little rain will come along with health problems and people should be warned early.
“We will advise the public with assistance from the National Early Warning Unit,” he said.

Mr Pawadyira said the unit did not have helicopters and relied on the army and air force.
“We hope we will get funds from Treasury. Last season we did not have enough funds and we had challenges in dealing with floods in Tokwe Mukosi.

“We also have partners whom we work with such as the United Nations family and non-governmental organisations in the field but Government will take the lead.
The Met Department has predicted normal to above normal rainfall between December 2014 and March 2015 in region 1 and region 3 while region 2 will have normal to below normal rainfall during this period.

Region 1 consists of Harare, Mashonaland East, parts of Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central, Midlands, parts of Manicaland and Region 2 is comprised of Matabeleland North, parts of Midlands and Mashonaland West.

Region 3 areas are Masvingo, bulk of Midlands, extreme southern parts of Manicaland and the bulk of Matabeleland South.
According to the Met Department, region 2 will receive normal to below normal rains during December 2014 with the region receiving normal to below normal rains during January and March 2015.

Last season, heavy rains wrecked havoc in some areas, leaving people homeless and destroying property.