Kinondoni community trained to reduce disaster risks
PRIME Minister’s Office Disaster Management Department in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have conducted awareness session to community members in Kinondoni in efforts to reduce disaster risks.
The awareness session is part of the project titled “Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Reduction in Tanzania” which is implemented by the IOM in collaboration with the Disaster Management Department and is funded by the IOM Development Fund.
Speaking during the awareness session held in the city yesterday IMO Chief of Mission Maurizo, said the purpose of the session is to raise the understanding and awareness of the community members in Kinondoni on the reduction of disaster risks to save people’s lives, protect properties and the environment.
“IOM is very proud to be supporting Tanzania in disaster risk reduction activities including prevention, preparedness, response and rehabilitation, and the awareness session is part of disaster prevention.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy “Tanzania is susceptible to the impact of various disasters which are further exacerbated by climate change and weather, increased population in disaster-prone areas, the existence of unplanned urban settlements and environmental degradation”.
“Therefore, we regard the awareness sessions with the utmost importance in our mission to empower vulnerable communities in Tanzania to withstand disasters,” he said.
Chief Economist and Dar es Salaam Regional Disaster Management Coordinator Gerald Sando said that high number of people, building and various activities has made the region to prioritise in ensuring safety of people and their properties.
He said the most important thing in disasters control and management is people to understand the sources which can cause disasters.
Mr Sando commended Disaster Management Department and IOM for organising the session which will help people to understand various issues related to disaster management.
” In managing disasters there are crucial things to be considered such as efforts to prevent them, disaster preparedness, capacity building to the community and various stakeholders and restoration of the damaged areas,” he said.
Mr Sando further said that Dar es Salaam region is implementing well the Disaster Management Act through formation of various committees and a task force.
He said the task force is responsible for advising the regional authorities on disaster management.
The task force has also been taking part in various incidents such as fire outbreaks, floods and volcano eruption at Kunduchi in Dar es Salaam among others.
On her part, Kinondoni Municipal Disaster Management Coordinator Pendo Mwaisaka said the awareness session is crucial because most of wards in her area have been affected with floods every rain season.
Mr Sando that the floods are caused by swelling rivers, sand harvesting, and land slide among others.
She named the affected wards as Kigogo, Kunduchi, Mwananyamala, Kinondoni, Bunju Tandale, Mzimuni, Magomeni, Makumbusho, Msasani, Mbweni, Mbezi Juu and Kawe.
