02 Apr 2017

The level of disaster preparedness is adequate, given the commitment by government to ensure availability of resources capacity building in terms of training implementers and people in possible disaster areas.

The Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale told Parliament that “this is so because government has previously adequately responded to all the disasters that occurred through availability of the needed resources, be it provision of basic shelter, food relief and basic amenities as well as ensuring relief and rehabilitation.”

Mr Molale said his ministry works closely with all stakeholders in the management of disasters.

He said there were also structures created to ensure effective communication in terms of sensitising the citizenry on various disasters that could possibly occur, adding that this was done through the state media, Bwgovernment Facebook page, toll free telephone line and free short message availed through the three mobile phone operators.

Furthermore, the minister said the government has established the National Committee on Disaster Preparedness (NCDM) which monitors implementation of sectoral preparedness and mitigation plans.

He stated that there were several sectoral preparedness plans which cover animal disease control, flood and storm control, human epidemics such as malaria control and fire hazards control more especially veld/bush fires.

Mr Molale added that District Disaster Management Committees (DDMCs) were in place to prepare and respond to such disasters whenever they occur.

On the budget allocation, the minister stated that on an annual basis, the disaster management budget was P5 000 000.

Minister Molale said as at the beginning of the financial year 2016/17, the National Disaster Relief Fund had P13 336 471 being cumulative subventions, adding that for this year’s disasters his ministry has spent P11 383 916.70

The minister stated that the annual P5 million subvention caters for proactive and response interventions.

He said the interventions include risk and vulnerability assessments and hazard mapping, capacity building for DDMCs, simulation exercises, public awareness campaigns and the development of contingency plans.

In addition, the minister said the interventions were augmented by sector specific interventions by development partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Bankers Association of Botswana to name a few.

The MP for Nata/Gweta, Mr Polson Majaga had asked the minister to state the level of preparedness on disaster management, the budget allocation for the current intervention to the end of March 2017.

He also asked him to state the amount allocated for proactive interventions and the nature of such interventions. ENDS