Neno District Council has hailed Somisomi Village Disaster Risk Management Committee (VDRMC) at Traditional Authority (TA) Symon for its innovative approach, raising awareness on climate change and disaster preparedness.
Neno District Council Disaster Risk Management Officer, Brighton Mphinga, expressed gratitude over the VDRMC’s initiatives recently after the committee saved over K3 million within six months through its Village savings and Loans (VSL) to support initiatives in disaster management.
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“This is the only committee among the 25 in Neno that has made such remarkable progress. Saving this amount in a short period means that in case of minor disasters affecting a few households, they will be able to assist them without waiting for external support,” Mphinga said.
He added that part of the cash generated from the committee’s farming activities would be reinvested to train more villagers in disaster preparedness and climate change adaptation in line with Malawi’s Disaster Risk Management Act.
The Act empowers communities with skills and knowledge for effective disaster management.
“We promote resilience by engaging communities to be proactive. The committee is undertaking initiatives such as VSL groups. The groups also raise chickens, which they will sell later to earn more income,” Mphinga explained.
Somisomi VDRMC Chairperson, Billiat Dambule, said the committee aims at reaching more people with messages on disaster prevention and climate change adaptation.
He explained that the committee raise funds to empower villagers to start small-scale livestock farming, especially poultry, to generate income for emergency.
“Our vision is to ensure that communities are self-reliant as opposed to fully depending on government support during disasters,” Dambule said, urging other committees to be innovative for the benefit of their communities.
He said Samisoni VDRMC was active in data collection during cyclones and used some of the savings purchasing utensils for affected households, describing this as putting knowledge into action.
Group Village Head Manyenje applauded Somisomi VDRMC for being innovative and for being prudent on resources.
“Previously, we did not have such organisations; we struggled waiting for external support. Other groups should learn from their example,” he said.
District Community Development Officer for Neno, Rabton Dyeratu, reminded people on the role of VSL groups, saying the groups are there for economic empowerment.
He applauded the committee for putting knowledge and skills into practice.
“It is always good to be self-reliant. If you saved over K3 million in six months, you could reach K6 or K7 or even K10 million in a year” he added.
