The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) says it will replicate and install disaster early warning systems in all disaster prone communities in river catchment areas in the country.
ZANIS reports that DMMU National Coordinator Yande Mwape said her organisation will work towards ensuring that all flood prone areas are installed with flood warning devices.
Ms Mwape said such a move will ensure that people living in areas with water bodies are warned of imminent disaster well in advance so that they can move to safe havens.
She said early warning is cardinal in disaster risk reduction and preparedness as it empowers communities with information on responding to imminent disasters.
“Our vision is to warn communities well in advance and that government is able to respond in a timely and efficient manner” said Ms Mwape.
She said this demonstrates Government’s commitment to responding to disasters in a timely and efficient manner in order to safeguard public safety in the affected areas.
The DMMU National Coordinator named some of the areas such as Zambezi, Chavuma, Kalabo, Lunga and other water body areas.
Ms Mwape said the devices will help enhance community based early warnings to avert disasters.
Recently, Vice President Inonge Wina commissioned the first ever flood warning siren at Mbeta Island in Sioma District of Western province.
The device which was simultaneously commissioned with a similar one at Kasaya in Mwandi District, also in Western Province was sourced by the Zambia Information, Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) in collaboration with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) at a cost of 300, 000 swiss francs.
How many people have died the to floods in Zambia ? None.
Some one has just cooked up a scheme to sell systems the country does not desperately need….me thinks someone can’t get hold of road contracts and is now peddling any thing remotely reasonable …..am sure those communities have much more pressing needs like primary schools…
More money in the pocket
Do you have to wait until something happens for you to act. That’s archaic thinking.
Zambia needs qualified technocrats to respond to serious and diversitative natural calamities . Some technology are not suitable for Zambia but of course the Zambian community needs basic and well turbulated and defined information that responds to weather partners..we have the martyrology department that is supposed to be empowered others than introducing a separate organisation. The DMMU should work with the martyrology department . NB it’s important to have Early warning but it must be systematic and cost effective.
Boyd moobwe
SAFADA DIRECTOR
Manje ma spelling ba Boyd…!
whats the solution to floods in lsk! is it the same sirens? please pipo be proactive and not reactive! its only in zambia where more money is used in treating malaria than preventing it!