The Malawi Red Cross Society is taking a proactive approach to flood preparedness, launching an initiative to help people in flood-prone areas before the disaster strikes.
Speaking during a flood preparedness meeting on Thursday in Salima, Head of Supply Chain and Corporate Services, Richard Zinyongo, said the organization is shifting its focus from responding after the floods to responding before, citing challenges posed by washed-away bridges and inaccessible roads during disasters.
“You know most of the times we respond after the floods but this time around we are responding before the flood. The issue is you might be aware that most of the bridges nowadays are washed away and it’s difficult to respond during the disaster,” Zinyongo said.
The Red Cross distributed essential items, including tarpaulins, 40 camp tents, blankets, and sleeping mats, to support over 500 households in flood-prone areas of Salima.
Zinyongo urged residents to move to higher ground, following warnings of heavy rains in the next three days from the Department of Meteorological Services.
“Let me also assure the people that those in flood-prone areas please move to upper land because the Department of Meteorological Services has already warned us that in the next three days starting from today there will be heavy rains.
“So this is also one of the areas that we are told by the department to say there will be heavy rains at this point, so we are urging everybody surrounding this area to move to upper land,” he added.
Community Development Officer for Salima District Council, Mackfield Zilambalala, expressed gratitude for the Red Cross’s proactive approach, noting it’s a departure from the usual emergency response model.
“To come with an aid during anticipation is something very new, which we think if all organisations will be doing this, we will have better resilient communities here in Salima,” Zilambalala said.
