Govt boosts disaster preparedness with strategic planning

DODOMA: THE government is implementing deliberate and strategic measures to identify disaster-prone areas and develop both short- and longterm plans to mitigate their impacts.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities), Mr Patrobas Katambi, made the remarks in the National Assembly yesterday while responding to a question from Temeke MP, Ms Dorothy Kilave (CCM).

The legislator had asked whether the government had plans to identify all disaster affected areas and adopt new strategies to address such situations.

Mr Katambi said the government’s efforts are guided by the Disaster Management Policy of 2004, the Disaster Management Act No. 6 of 2022, and relevant national and international frameworks.

“The identification of disaster-prone areas is being conducted through structured assessments,” he said.

He added that key actions already undertaken include the creation of a national disaster profile in 2019 identifying high-risk areas, conducting risk assessments in 36 districts, and enhancing disaster monitoring systems.

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Mr Katambi stressed that these measures reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to building national resilience in line with existing policies and laws.

In a supplementary question, MP Kilave asked about plans to allocate funds at the constituency or district levels to enable prompt disaster response without relying solely on the central government.

In response, Mr Katambi explained that the 2004 Policy and 2022 Act provide for the formation of disaster management committees from the village level up to the regional level.

“These structures are legally empowered to act as the first line of response,” he said.

“Initial responses are financed through local government budgets based on their revenue generation and planning, under the oversight of district commissioners.”

He noted that regional disaster budgets are also established, and in cases where local capacities are overwhelmed, the national disaster committee steps in, managing the National Disaster Fund as stipulated by law.

“The government remains actively engaged at all levels to ensure a timely and coordinated response to disasters,” he assured the House