State urges disaster committees to strengthen preparedness
DODOMA: THE government has called on district disaster management committees to enhance preparedness by establishing comprehensive emergency response plans, including clear operational and communication coordination strategies to effectively manage disasters in their respective areas.
Additionally, institutions involved in transportation, energy and water services have been urged to strengthen operations to ensure the continuity of essential services during emergencies.
The directives were issued on Friday by the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Coordination and Parliamentary Affairs), Ms Ummy Nderiananga, during the opening of a training session for the Maswa District Disaster Committee in Simiyu region.
The training was coordinated by the Prime Minister’s Office – Disaster Management Unit in collaboration with the World Vision.
The deputy minister said that if disaster management committees and other relevant institutions establish early preparedness strategies, the costs of responding to disasters will be reduced and citizens will experience less anxiety.
She also highlighted that, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration, significant improvements have been made in delivering accurate weather forecasts, which these committees are expected to incorporate into their strategic planning.
ALSO READ: Provide counseling to disaster victims
“The government under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan is well-prepared to tackle disasters. We have acquired state-of-theart equipment that can provide us with any weather-related information,” said the Deputy Minister.
Lieutenant Colonel Selestine Masalamando, the Director of Operations and Coordination at the Prime Minister’s Office – Disaster Management Department, said that the government, in collaboration with the World Vision, is providing training to district disaster committees to handle such incidents efficiently.
Colonel Masalamando noted that the training is being conducted nationwide, having already reached eight regions. The goal of the program is to enhance the capacity of the committees to manage disasters within their respective areas.
“We are very grateful to World Vision for funding this program. During these trainings, we explain how the national disaster management system operates and outline the responsibilities of each committee,” said Colonel Masalamando Mr Joseph Mitinje, the Director of Advocacy, Faith and Development at World Vision, said that his organisation has partnered with the government to provide training to the committees to reduce the impact of disasters.
ALSO READ: With youth friendly SRH services, disasters can be averted
He noted that this year’s plan includes training disaster management committees in eight districts in Simiyu, Shinyanga and Tabora regions.
“We recognise that equipping these committees with knowledge on early preparedness and their roles in disaster management will significantly reduce the adverse effects of disasters on citizens,” said Mr Mitinje.
