WVI forms disaster risk committees in Chikomeni’s area

–Chief Chikomeni of the Chewa people of Lundazi district says formation of Community Based Disaster Risk Mitigation Committees in his chiefdom is a welcome development and must be holistic.

 

Chief Chikomeni said the Community Based Disaster Risk Mitigation Committees must be formed in such a way that local the community is empowered with knowledge on how to identify, mitigate and respond to various disasters.

 

Chief Chikomeni said in order to reduce t he negative impact, limit risks and increase resilience or reduce disasters, it was important to establish effective measures within the community that reduce vulnerability and increase the capacity of the community.

 

Chief Chikomeni was speaking through his Induna, Kawinga Tutis Mwale, during the orientation workshop of Community Based Disaster Risk Mitigation Satellite Committees, organized by World Vision held at chief Chikomeni sub centre.

 

The Traditional Leader said Disaster reductions can be achieved when technocrats, like World Vision, work with local community to identify a desired outcome and identify activities that can be taken and achieved to mitigate disasters.

 

And speaking earlier, World Vision Acting Manager for Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs, Benard Zgambo, said the objectives of the orientation workshop was to prepare a plan of activities to be adopted by local satellite committees in chief Chikomeni in the event of a disaster occurring.

 

Workshop participants were drawn from 12 villages these including Mukaya, chipepo, Tiwone, Chidakwa, Sumayili, Mugwagwa, Chiseka, Kabanana, Ndembela, Kambewa, Kalutwa and Titane.

 

Workshop participants identified floods,d roughts, firebreaks. pests, HIV/AIDS, man/animal conflicts and malaria as the major hazards that could affect and cause negative effects to people of chief Chikomeni’s area.