The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
THE Civil Protection Unit (CPU) has bemoaned the small budget that it is operating on in dealing with natural disasters but has reaffirmed its commitment and readiness to serve its mandate and ensure human life and property are protected.
Mr Nathan Nkomo, director of CPU said the national purse in dealing with disasters remained a far cry to their needs as they only received $700 000 of the $2,8 million that they had budgeted for. He said owing to the budgetary constraints they reduced their budget to $1,7 million which he said was still not enough.
“This year we had a budget of $2,7 million but due to competing interests with other departments we only managed to receive $700 000 in October.
We have actually reduced our budget to $1,7 million for 2018 which is not enough in reality,” he said.
He said the CPU was still grappling with effects of the rains that ravaged the country last season in terms of recovery and with the low budget they might take longer than expected as most of the work had stalled. He, however, said they were carrying awareness campaigns in all the country’s districts and provinces to conscientise the communities on what to do in case of disasters.
“We are carrying out awareness campaigns in the country’s districts and provinces. We are activating all our disaster management systems in these places in preparation for any eventualities,” he said.
This activation comes at the backdrop of a national civil protection committee meeting that was held last week on the state of preparedness of the unit.
“Previously we attended a regional gathering of Sadc countries on disaster preparedness so we have been cascading what we learnt downwards to the various structures that we have. We have different requests as a unit, so far requests have come in for jet A1 fuel for our helicopters to carry marooned people to safety and also the sub aqua unit has made their various requests. So we have to send the consolidated request and see what we receive,” he said.
The CPU said they were also working hand in hand with the Meteorological Services Department whose purpose is to issue early warning signs on weather related and other disasters. However, the CPU warned people from attempting to cross flooded rivers or bridges as they risk being swept away.
The director said people should desist from taking cover under trees when it is raining as they are prone to being struck by lightning or having trees falling on them. Traditional leaders have also been incorporated in aiding communities during the rainy season.
“People should use traditional leaders near them as they have the knowledge on detecting danger through indigenous knowledge systems. They can tell when environmental conditions change that it could be signalling floods,” said Mr Nkomo.
