The last Cyclone in the planned project area was 170 km/h strong and destroyed not just the economical livelihood of the people but also took quite a few lives. The coast of Mozambique is regularly inflicted by strong cyclones and storm waves and due to the climate change the experts are worried it will only get worse. The Cruz Vermelha de Mocambique asked the German Red Cross (GRC) for their experience and support in Disaster Risk Reduction training awhile ago.
Now thanks to a generous contribution of the Federal Foreign Office Ministry of Germany the GRC will start a project in the province Zambezia.
GRC plans to minimize risks and damages in the coast region of Mozambique, which is always threatened by cyclones and tsunamis. The inhabitants should achieve an improved Disaster Preparedness and will be able to secure their families and homes in case of an emergency.
Every community will set up a Disaster Risk Management Committee, which will be trained to prepare their own village in Risk Reduction and who will be able to reduce the negative consequences. These committees will draw up emergency plans and danger maps and will be able to use them when needed. In the end, 70% of the trainees will be able to reflect on what they learned and will learn how to pass this knowledge on.
To give every single house hold security, a work group of 30 volunteers will be set up and will be trained to teach the single households how to react before, while and after a natural disaster. The awareness training will also be implemented in elementary schools.
To reduce the economical damage the construction of cyclone safe houses will be taught and practiced by 40 % of the community. Also 70 % of the community will be able to identify endangered places within their community area and can demonstrate the needed actions to be taken, whenever a natural disaster occurs.
The Cruz Vermelha de Mocambique will be a strengthened partner of the general Disaster Risk Reduction of this region of the country and will be connected with the already existing actors and the governmental institutions. There will be regular meetings concerning the topic of coordination within Disaster Risk Management and the CVM will take part.