By George Mponda

Karonga, March 25, Mana: The Catholic Development Commission in Malawi (CADECOM) has said the construction of cheap safe houses that can withstand disasters can save lives and improve people’s dignity.

CADECOM's Project Coordinator for the Climate Just Community (CJC) in Karonga, Elijah Banda, said this on Monday during a monitoring tour by officials from Karonga District Council and Civil Society Organizations.

According to Banda, the project, which is being implemented in the area of Senior Chief Wasambo with funding from the Scottish Government through DAI Global UK, aims to reduce the vulnerability of communities in Karonga to disasters like floods and strong winds.

"One of the components of the project is the construction of demonstration safe houses that can withstand disasters. What is unique about these safe houses is that they are being built using cheap and locally available materials," said Banda.

"The use of local materials has not only reduced the cost of construction but also promoted community ownership and participation. The safe houses are being designed using a combination of local materials, such as mud blocks and wood to construct houses that are resistant to strong winds and floods," he added.

He explained that so far, local artisans have constructed four demonstration safe houses in Karonga under the project, adding CADECOM is hoping that communities will emulate this and build their own durable cheap homes.

"The CJC project is also promoting sustainable agriculture practices and disaster risk reduction measures in Karonga. We are working with local communities to promote the use of drought-tolerant crops and agroforestry practices.

“The project is also providing training on disaster risk reduction measures, such as early warning systems and emergency preparedness for disaster clubs in primary schools," said Banda.

On his part, Disaster Risk Management Officer for Karonga District Council, Humphrey Magalasi, said the safe houses will not only provide a safe shelter for the beneficiaries but also promote a sense of security and dignity.

"People should adopt the use of cheap and locally available materials and use them to build safe houses that can withstand disasters,” said Magalasi.