Govt launches K12 billion Lusaka District Disaster Risk Reduction Plan

Government has launched a K12 billion Lusaka District Disaster Risk Reduction Plan (DRR) that aims at minimizing the risks associated with hazards in disaster prone areas of the district.

And the American government has pledged financial support to the programme with a grant of $ 930,000 through its implementing agency Care International for the provision of improved water supply and sanitation in Kanyama compound.

Speaking during the launch, Lusaka Province Minister, Charles Shawa said the Plan underscores government’s commitment in responding to disasters and floods as they contribute to poor hygiene and perennial outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

The Provincial Minister bemoaned the negative impact of the 2008/2009 rain season that was exacerbated by the outbreak of cholera which claimed 107 lives in the district.

Mr Shawa said the plan will seek to address adequate access to safe water and sanitation, improved garbage disposal and drainage systems among others in the district.

He added that government is committed in protecting its citizens from waterborne diseases through the provision of improved sanitary conditions so as to enhance the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on water and sanitation by 2015.

And Lusaka District Commissioner, Christah Kalulu said the plan is an accumulation of concerted efforts of various key stakeholders aimed at targeting potential disaster prone areas in the district.

Ms Kalulu, who is also Lusaka District Disaster Management Committee Chairperson, said the plan forms the district’s response to emergencies in line with the global trends on disaster management aimed at mitigating the risk to life, livelihoods and infrastructure.

Speaking earlier, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) National Coordinator, Dominiciano Mulenga said the plan conforms to the Hyogo Framework of Action to which Zambia is a signatory.

Mr Mulenga noted that the framework is also a departure from Disaster Management to Disaster Risk Reduction with emphasis on interventions into development programme.

He said that DMMU will decentralize the operations of disaster management and mitigation to districts in line with the Decentralization Policy.

The implementation period of the plan is over three months from September –December 2009 before the onset of the rainy season.

Kanyama Member of Parliament, Col Gerry Chanda and his Matero counterpart Faustina Sinyangwe attended the launch while Mps for Lusaka Central, Chawama, Kabwata, Mandevu and Munali sent representatives.

Others in attendance were LWSC Managing director George Ndongwe and several civic leaders in the district.

ZANIS