24th April 2024
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit National Coordinator Dr. Gabriel Pollen says Zambia will this year benefit more than $13 million for disaster management and mitigation from the Africa Risk Insurance Programme under the African Union.
Speaking on the sidelines of the African Risk Capacity –ARC- Agency Conference of the Parties in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Dr. Pollen said the funds are expected to be released by June this year.
He said Zambia has substantially benefited from being a member of the Africa Risk Capacity, including an insurance premium payment amounting to 5.5 million dollars during the 2022 drought.
The National Coordinator also said following this year’s drought, Government has come up with a drought response mechanism that will help mitigate the impact of the drought.
He said the Government is focused on ensuring adequate resources are allocated to water harvesting infrastructure to harness and utilize the water resources the country is endowed with.
Dr. Pollen further stated that drought in the future could be mitigated by the robust intervention in irrigation infrastructure that the Government will be undertaking.
He said through irrigation it is envisaged that agricultural production will increase and ensure food security with adequate surplus for export.
On the ratification of African Risk Capacity Treaty, Dr. Pollen said Zambia will ratify the treaty as soon as internal processes are finalised, that also include Parliament approval.
This is contained in a statement issued by first Secretary for Press and tourism Mrs Inutu Mupango Mwanza.
