Minister of Information Gospel Kazako has called on journalists in the country to enhance reporting on disaster risk reduction (DRR) interventions to help raise awareness and reduce the impact of disasters.
Kazako, who is also Government spokesperson, made the call in Mangochi on Saturday when he presided over the opening ceremony for the Zomba Press Club annual general meeting (AGM) held over the weekend.
Kazako said the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA)has been calling upon people living in disaster-prone areas to move to safer places and journalists need take those messages to the masses.
“DoDMA has been calling on people living in disaster-prone areas to relocate to safer places, as journalists, we have a role to play, we need to echo such calls and make a difference.
“Disasters derail development efforts. The country spends a lot of funds in responding to disasters. Such funds could be channelled towards constructing schools and hospitals, among others,” said Kazako.
DoDMA’s director of disaster response and recovery; Moses Chimphepo said 12,743 households have been affected by disasters, mainly, strong winds, stormy rains and lightning.
“The country has lost 26 people to disasters and 123 have sustained various degree of injuries from July to 10th December, 2021,” said Chimphepo.
The AGM was held under the theme; ‘Media, a tool for natural disaster prevention and sustainable climate change management.’
