Zambia: Zambezi River basin initiative helping communities prepare for disasters

The Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has initiated the ‘The Zambezi River Initiative’ (ZRBI), which will identify risks of hazards and existing capacities as well as addressing food security, water and water born disease issues of the over 600 thousand inhabitants who live in the area, reports the Times of Zambia. The initiative aims at breaking the cycle of disaster, displacement and recovery that is brought about by the regular flooding by helping the communities to be prepared for these eventualities and encourage them to take steps which will reduce their risk of disasters. A vulnerability capacity assessment will be conducted as well, and, in line with the Millennium Development Goals, the initiative will promote a more resilient community.