Mozambique: Weather service key to flood disaster management

Experts say the disaster management plans drawn up by the Mozambique authorities in response to floods a decade ago are a model for other African countries reports Isaiah Esipisu for IPS.

"The meteorological services immediately embarked on a mapping program for all risk areas, where 10 to 15 individuals from every disaster risk areas were given proper training on rescue operations depending on the nature of natural disasters that usually affect that particular area," said Dulce Chilundo, the director of the Emergency Operation Centre and the National Institute for Disaster Management in Mozambique. "Only 100,000 people were displaced from their homes, and nine individuals lost their lives," he added.