By Solister Mogha

Zomba, November 4, Mana: District Commissioner for Zomba, Reighngard Chavula has appealed to the disaster office to disseminate the district’s contingency plan for proper coordination with stakeholders that take part in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

The District Commissioner made the call Monday at Liwonde in Machinga during a contingency plan review meeting and said having a plan is one thing and disseminating what is in the plan is another.

“After developing our plan, let's make sure that we popularize it so that everyone is involved and take part.

“Sometimes we don't get the necessary support during disasters because people are not aware of what they are supposed to do, where to report and how to effectively coordinate to address issues at hand,” Chavula added.

The District Commissioner described the contingency plan as proper and guiding tool in disaster preparedness, response and recovery.

“Let us avoid shelving the plans developed because that is our main challenge. I am sure that this time around we will coordinate properly because we have a plan,

“It is always sad to see people doing things the way they want despite the availability of the plan,” she added.

Contingency plan is reviewed annually depending on the seasonal weather forecast.

Disaster Risk Management Officer for Zomba, Violet Jimu said her office already started engaging stakeholders and community members on the seasonal forecast.

She added that series of awareness will be conducted to popularize the plan to ensure members of the community understand it.

“Of course, we involve community leaders when developing our contingency plan. However deliberate efforts will be made to ensure community members are aware of the plan,” Jimu said.

According to the seasonal forecast released by the Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Malawi is expected to receive normal to above normal rainfall and Zomba is one of the districts that will receive normal to below normal rainfall.