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Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
THE Civil Protection Unit (CPU) is expecting to come up with a well-resourced fund to effectively avoid loss of life and property once the Disaster Risk Management Bill is passed by Parliament.

The Bill would ensure that the department does not only react to disasters, but prevents them from occurring.

The Disaster Risk Management Bill comes after results of the National Flood Plain Management Framework done after the Tokwe Mukosi Dam flood disaster revealed that four percent of the land mass is at risk of extreme flooding with a 10-year return period. The framework also disclosed that 30 000 rural homesteads are in extreme flood risk areas. Giving oral evidence before the Environment, Water, Tourism and Hospitality Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chaired By Cde Wonder Mashange, CPU director Mr Nathan Nkomo said over the years Treasury disbursed only $200 000 to respond to disasters.

He said this year, Treasury revised the allocation to $2,7 million, but the funds have not been disbursed saying that the department only has resources from well-wishers. “We are ceased with the transformation and legislative agenda to ensure that whatever we come up with is a tool which will serve a purpose. Trends indicate that both natural and human-induced disasters are increasing in both intensity and complexity and Zimbabwe has not been spared,” he said.

“We now have a draft Disaster Risk Management Bill in place, ready in the 5th Session of the 8th Parliament to be debated once it sails through Cabinet. Only a few cosmetic changes are now required.”

Mr Nkomo said there is need for improvement on early warning systems by ensuring effective and accurate recordings after the realisation that at Tokwe Mukosi, the department relied on wrong assumptions. Mr Nkomo said because of the flooding in Tsholotsho, $3,8 million is needed with $12 000 per household for the construction of a three-roomed house, ablution facilities, granary and a round kitchen.