Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) has emphasised the importance of building resilient communities through capacity building and sharing of risk information.
Dodma deputy director for resilience development Hastings Mwanjoka said this on Tuesday during the orientation of Salima District Disaster Risk Management Committee on the new Risk-Informed Development for Resilience project.
“This project focuses on the software part, building capacity of councils and addressing gaps identified in the implementation of the previous project,” he said.
Mwanjoka said Salima was selected among other councils, including Dedza, Nkhotakota, Mzuzu and Zomba City due to its vulnerability to disaster.
“We want to level the playing field so that less-recognised districts such as Salima also have the same capacity and information as Nsanje or Phalombe,” he said.
Salima district director of agricultural services Enford Kanyimbo said the project will bridge information gaps.
“This project will ensure risk information is made available to communities. It is our responsibility to ensure that stakeholders are engaged and informed,” he said.
Salima district disaster risk management officer Gloria Chinangwa welcomed the initiative, citing the district’s exposure to multiple hazards.
“Salima is prone to flash floods, dry spells, strong winds, and outbreaks of pests and diseases. We are ready to implement this project to strengthen the capacity of our communities in disaster preparedness and resilience,” she said.
The United Nations Development Programme funded the project to the tune of $2.7 million (about K4.7 billion).
