Civil Society Network for Climate Change vice-board chairperson Melton Luhanga has called for sufficient resource allocation towards disaster risk management (DRM) in development activities.
He made the appeal on Tuesday in Mwanza during a meeting with Neno District legislators and councillors to urge them to advocate for allocation of enough funds for implementation of DRM initiatives during the forthcoming 2025/26 National Budget deliberations in Parliament.
Said Luhanga: “Effects of climate change are affecting all sectors of development in the country; hence, the need for smooth preparedness and recovery process in time of these uncertainties.
“The challenge is low funding, so that is the reason duty-bearers and elected leaders should push for adequate funds in DRM.”
Neno District Council chairperson Joseph Chiphaliwali said they will lobby for more funding to enhance people’s resilience amid the climate crisis.
“I will push for a better percentage, at least three percent, towards DRM in the next district council budget deliberation.
“The meeting has been an eye-opener because it is sad that only 0.16 percent of the district budget goes towards disaster response while we are severely hit by the worsening effects of climate change such as dry spells. About 40 percent of the district’s population, roughly 62 411, are hungry and needs food assistance,” he said.
On his part, Department of Disaster Management Affairs resilience officer Hanke Ndau said government is committed in assisting citizens who have been affected by disasters.
“We are on the ground reaching out to those affected by the El Nino-induced dry spells that affected crop production.
“We are also grateful to developmental partners who are assisting us in helping affected families with food, among others,” he said
