The Maravi Post

BLANTYRE—Malawi’s secretary and commissioner for disaster management affairs, Jeffrey Kanyinji, says government is committed to promoting a culture of resilience through a shift in mindset and operation from disaster responses to disaster risk management.

Speaking in an interview ahead of the national disaster risk management platform launch, Kanyinji said the department of disaster management will advocate for disaster risk management at all levels while ensuring the establishment of a compressive national system for disaster risk management.

“When disasters strike, property is damaged, people are injured, lives are lost, development programmes and projects are affected and the country spends a lot of resources on response programmes,” he observed.

He therefore said the risk management platform will ensure proper coordination of disaster risk management programmes and activities in the country.

The platform will also promote innovations, research and new technologies in addressing disaster risks.

“The national platform will not only be central in ensuring that disaster risk reduction is mainstreamed in development policies, plans and programmes to achieve sustainable development, but will also ensure proper coordination of all activities regarding disaster risk reduction,” he said.

The disaster risk management platform will be launched officially by vice president Khumbo Kachali in Lilongwe on February 20, 2013 under theme “Toward s a disaster resilient Malawi: manageable impacts”.

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©The Maravi Post 2013

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