Avoid wetlands settlements, leaders urged
TRADITIONAL leaders and local authorities have been advised against settling people on wetlands and waterways and should teach owners of stands to follow laid down procedures and plans when constructing houses.
This was said by Local Government and Public Works Minister, July Moyo, yesterday in a statement on the commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The commemorations, which are held annually on October 13, ran under the theme “Disaster Risk Governance”.
October 13 was set by the United Nations General Assembly to promote a global culture of disaster risk reduction and it provides an opportunity to recognise the progress being made towards reducing disaster risk and losses to lives, property, infrastructure and livelihoods.
The commemorations are in line with the “Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030”, which was approved at the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in March 2015 in Japan.
Minister Moyo said disaster risk governance has taken centre stage in Zimbabwe, especially with the devolution mantra that is gathering pace to decentralise power to provinces.
He said if everyone played their part, Zimbabwe can take “decisive actions” to manage and reduce disaster risks.
“We must act collectively, avoid creating new risks, and systematically reduce existing ones. Sound national, local and institutional plans for disaster risk reduction must be applied in construction, public health, education, agriculture, environmental protection, energy, water resources, poverty reduction and climate change adaptation.
“To this end, the Department of Civil Protection under my ministry organised a national preparedness planning workshop for the 2020/ 2021 rainfall season which was successfully conducted from 23- 25 September 2020,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the workshop was held against the backdrop of a La Nina inclined forecast for the 2020-2021 rainfall season, and the key output of the workshop is the national contingency plan for the 2020/ 21 season, which has since been approved by Cabinet.
The contingency plan serves as a generic framework which the devolved sub- national structures can use to develop their local disaster preparedness plans.
Minister Moyo said all sectors should have their disaster preparedness plans in place, to address both natural and human- induced hazards.
He said this year’s theme was about conveying the message that some disasters can be avoided and this can only be possible if there were sound disaster risk reduction plans at all levels that are also sensitive to climate change.
“It is typically important that particular care is taken to ensure that critical infrastructure is built to last by ensuring that location and hazard- appropriate planning regulations and building codes are enforced,” said Minister Moyo.
Zimbabwe has not been spared from climate-related hazards, geophysical, technological and biological disasters, among them Covid- 19; the worst disaster of the 21st century, a development that compels the nation to strengthen its disaster risk governance across all sectors and to take on the challenge of existing threats.
Minister Moyo said lessons from Covid19 and recurrent climate- related hazards demand that Zimbabwe has a clear vision, plans and competent, empowered institutions acting on scientific evidence for the public good.
“Many people have lost their lives, homes or access to essential facilities, such as hospitals due to disasters, includ
ing droughts, heavy flooding, cyclones and lightning. All of these disasters have caused economic damage to our countries.
“Given these disaster impacts, efforts must be made to raise awareness on risk, upscale mitigation programs, strengthen multi- hazard risk assessments, ensure efficacy in response and support early recovery initiatives,” said Minister Moyo.
Government has made significant improvements in ensuring inclusivity in disaster risk reduction matters.
All organisations have been invited to participate in national and sub- national civil protection platforms coordinated by the Ministry of Public Works. Minister Moyo said that adaptation to climate change must be embraced at all costs to minimise adverse impacts.