Zambia launches flood plan
2008-01-05 17:32
Lusaka - The Zambian government on Saturday launched a multi-million dollar contingency plan to deal with the effects of floods that have left thousands of people homeless, an official announced.
The $9.5m plan will run up to June when the situation is expected to improve in most parts of the country, said Austin Sichinga, a permanent secretary in charge of disaster management.
"The contingency plan is set up within the context of floods re-occurring in the 2007/8 rainy season with more intensity", Sichinga said.
He said Zambia's meteorological department had predicted 60% of floods in most parts of the country during the current rainy season, which began in November.
"Among the preparedness activities is the need to ensure that the districts that are prone to floods have been trained in data collection and reporting", Sichinga said.
He said 34 out of the 72 districts in Zambia had been put on red alert for floods and that an estimated population of 1.5 million people will need aid during the disaster period.
Sichinga said the funds budgeted in the contingency plan will be used for food, clothes and transport for the affected families.
So far, over 3 000 villagers in a small town of Mazabuka have been left homeless after their homes were submerged by rising water and several bridges around the country have also been washed away.