Posted Jun 09, 2009
Pilot project
Namwala, June 9-2009
-A developmental pilot project has kicked started in Namwala District with the over all objective of strengthening communities on how to cope with natural disasters in the District.
And District Commissioner, Ms Eunice Nawa said the project has come at the right time because the District has borne the blunt of natural disasters ranging from floods, droughts and animal diseases.
The disaster risk reduction [DRR] project which is now at planning stage would be funded be OXFARM of the United Kingdom[UK] once the planning stage is completed.
During the orientation workshop yesterday HODI programmes Manager Mr Wisdom Siamuchimba said only three districts in Zambia were chosen for the project including Namwala, Senanga, and Kazungula adding that the project would run for three years starting this year.
Mr Siamuchimba explained that the projects which would be implemented by HODI would target 2,000 households who would be expected to come up with developmental proposals for consideration by the government.
He said the main objective of DRR was to strengthen the ability of countries, organizations, local communities, government, and other stakeholders to predict, mitigate, manage, respond, and recover from shocks caused by disasters.
Mr Siamuchimba said as implementing organization HODI would hold a number of consultative meetings with traditional leaders, government departments, and communities in the District in order to come up with sustainable intervention measures on how to mitigate and help communities cope after disasters..
Asked how much the project would cost, Mr Siamuchimba explained that OXFARM would only release money after proposals have been submitted.
AND officially opening the workshop, Ms Nawa said the project has come at the right time as the District has not been spared from the natural disasters notably floods and droughts.
Ms Nawa said the government stands ready to fully support projects aimed at reducing the impact of disasters brought about by global warming.
“The formation of the National disaster management and mitigation unit[NDMMU] under the auspices of the Vice President is testimony of government’s true commitment to reduce the impact of disasters on people countrywide,” said Ms Nawa.