Disaster risk management preps on course

MATABELELAND North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo has stated that the province has activated civil protection structures at all levels in preparation for any disasters that may arise during the upcoming rainy season.

He made the remarks on the sidelines of the Sadc Council of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management meeting in Victoria Falls yesterday, while referring to flood-prone districts such as Binga and Tsholotsho in Matabeleland North.

Both Tsholotsho and Binga were severely affected by floods in 2017 and 2020, prompting the Government to relocate nearly 400 families from low-lying areas along the Gwayi River to higher ground in Tshino and Sawudweni villages in Tsholotsho’s Ward 6, as well as to Nsungwaale in Binga.

In Tsholotsho, over 300 houses have been constructed, while close to 40 houses were built in Binga to permanently relocate victims to safer, higher ground. Nationwide, the Government has built over 500 houses for people affected by disasters, particularly floods, as the Second Republic continues to make strides in delivering on its promises.

Since its establishment in 2017, the Second Republic has identified housing provision as a key focus of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), aiming to provide decent housing while reducing the 1,2 million housing backlog and contributing towards an upper-middle-income society by 2030.

Minister Moyo emphasised that the majority of the houses in Binga and Tsholotsho have now been completed, and urged beneficiaries to relocate from flood-prone areas for their safety.

“This meeting is discussing issues of disaster risk management, and as a province, we are focusing on areas like Tsholotsho and Binga, where the Government has built houses in safe locations. People should now move away from the flood-prone areas. They cannot continue to live there because there could be floods this year. They need to move into the safe houses,” said Minister Moyo.

He acknowledged that flood-prone areas tend to offer better agricultural conditions, but stressed that people’s safety must come first. “What we want is for their lives to be safe. As a province, we are ready to act when a disaster strikes. We have activated teams from villages to chiefs and districts, and we are prepared to evacuate people and protect communities,” he added.

Minister Moyo also expressed optimism that all the houses were ready for occupation, with only a few outstanding ones in Tsholotsho. “If there are any remaining, we will ensure they are completed. The majority are ready for occupation, and people should move there,” he said.

Earlier on while addressing delegates from Sadc countries, Minister Moyo called for greater co-operation to expedite the implementation of policies that will reduce the impact of climate change-related disasters. He also highlighted the need to create strong adaptation plans and long-term resilience strategies.

“The trans-boundary threat posed by climate change-induced natural disasters is a major concern for the economic growth of the region. The impact of El Niño has been felt by all of us in the Southern region, and it should remain a priority for our respective governments to advocate for a humanitarian appeal requesting international support and solidarity,” he said.

Minister Moyo stressed the importance of reinforcing long-term policies and incorporating them into institutions and local communities. “To effectively co-ordinate regional disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, and recovery programmes, we need to move quickly to operationalise the Sadc Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centres. We must strengthen co-ordination and preparedness in response to frequent climate shocks and raise awareness of the regional humanitarian situation,” he said.

There is a consensus on the need for multi-sectoral interventions to avert disasters through the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction strategies. Investment in resilience building is key to achieving a disaster-proof region that leaves no one and no place behind. — @ncubeleon