Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
RURAL communities in Gwanda District, Matabeleland South Province are taking a leading role in preventing disasters in their localities through the setting up of disaster risk reduction committees.
The committees help communities respond more effectively in the aftermath of disasters such as drought, floods, storms, lightning fires, shortage of water, climate stressors, epidemics and diseases, livestock diseases, drugs and substance abuse, road traffic accidents and mine accidents, among others.
Through their committees, the villagers have devised methods to prevent some of these disasters from occurring, reduce their impact and educate the community on the prevention of disasters.
Ward 11 disaster risk reduction (DRR) committee chairperson, Mr Mbalekelwa Ndlovu said disasters affect the well-being of community members.
“We have a DRR committee at the ward level and then we have committees in each village in the ward. We have to curb disasters from occurring and when they do, we have to ensure that the damage is as minimal as possible,” he said.
“Some of the disasters are as a result of negligence and wrong practices by us as community members while others occur naturally and can’t be prevented, but we can control the impact.”
Mr Ndlovu said they educate the community to desist from engaging in practices that can endanger them such as cutting down trees, burning bushes and cultivating close to rivers and dams, among other harmful practices.
“Where the damage has already been done, we have been carrying out land restoration works such as closing gullies and other soil preservation activities,” he said.
Mr Ndlovu said as DRR committees, they are always on the lookout for possible disaster threats such as poorly constructed houses, dilapidated infrastructure or other life-threatening situations.
Zhokwe Village DRR committee chairperson, Ms Simelele Ngulube said they also warn the public of imminent incidences that could ultimately lead to disasters.
“We were trained as DRR committees on how to do our job and we were also given basic working tools to conduct our work. We utilise any platform such as meetings to educate the communities on disaster risk reduction,” she said.
“Our DRR committee was established in 2021 and its existence has brought significant change and development to our area. Some disasters have been prevented from occurring and the mindset of people has changed.”
Ms Ngulube said communities are taught how to protect the environment including adhering to environmental regulations to prevent some disasters.
“As a community, we no longer want to be begging for assistance all the time after disasters, but to take charge of safeguarding our livelihoods,” she said.
Zhokwe Village DRR committee vice chairperson, Mr Jobert Moyo said the committees have helped to provide a more effective reporting system within communities.
“Villagers know about the committees and when disasters strike they report to the nearest committee member. Some reports are sent as text messages, phone calls, or WhatsApp messages,” he said.
Mr Moyo said villagers have adapted as they are now quick to report when disasters occur. He said the village committee reports to the ward structure, which then relays the message to the district Civil Protection Committee.
In an interview, Gwanda District Development Co-ordinator, Ms Nomathemba Ndlovu said DRR committees play a crucial role in the implementation of the disaster risk reduction plan, which is a strategy that helps the district to remain up-to-date with possible disasters and plan accordingly to minimise their effects. — @DubeMatutu
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