By Leah Malimbasa

Chikwawa, February 3, Mana: Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) and African Development Bank (AfDB) have inaugurated an Emergency Operating Centre (EOC) in Chikwawa to enhance emergency and disaster response.

Speaking during the inauguration AfDB Country Programme Officer, Furaha Bishota, said the centre is funded by a US$23 million grant through Post-Cyclone Idai Emergency Recovery and Resilience Project.

“Through this project, another EOC will be constructed in Mulanje and Emergency Evacuation Centres (EECs) have already been constructed in Phalombe and Nsanje as a demonstration of the Bank’s continued commitment towards disaster management,” said Bishota.

The project has also supported drilling of 50 boreholes, rehabilitated 35 fish ponds and is in the process of constructing a solar powered water supply system and 4 public sanitary facilities to further enhance the district’s accessibility to potable water and improved sanitary facilities as well as enhance the communities’ livelihood activities.

Bishota said the Bank expects that the facility will help in improving stakeholders’ coordination in disaster management in the district.

She, therefore, urged the District Council to sustainably utilise the facility.

“With the El Nino, seasonal forecast for the 2023/2024, which will require greater stakeholder coordination to reduce effects, the Bank believes that the centre will play a fundamental role,” she said.

In his remarks, District Commissioner for Chikwawa, Nardin Kamba, commended the Bank and DoDMA for the infrastructure.

She concurred with Bishota that the infrastructure will go a long way in helping the Council and stakeholders to coordinate disaster management affairs better.

“The EOC has given Chikwawa a face-lift and has solved office space problems,” he said.

Kamba said, apart from office space and conference room, the EOC also has a spacious storeroom which will be used to store relief items for the district when hit by disasters.

He promised that the Council will take good care of the structure through proper operation and putting in place maintenance mechanisms.

According to DoDMA Director of Preparedness and Response, Rev. Moses Chimphepo, the EOC can also be used by experts on official matters.

“Chikwawa did not have such a facility; now they can easily communicate with us faster using video conferencing at national level and transmit reports,” said Chimphepo.