By Our Correspondent – Nkasi
The Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Dr. James Kilabuko, has launched Disaster Management Documents for Nkasi District Council in Rukwa Region, emphasizing that the documents must be implemented in practice.
Dr. Kilabuko made the remarks today, January 27, 2026, during the official launch, stating that the move marks the beginning of formal preparedness and response actions in the event of any disaster. He called upon district-level departments, units and institutions to adhere to the documents and ensure they serve as a catalyst for increased community and stakeholder participation in disaster management issues.
He added that the initiative will help build community awareness on disaster management, strengthen early warning systems, enhance prevention and mitigation capacity, improve preparedness, and support recovery efforts when disasters occur.
Dr. Kilabuko explained that the documents have been launched at a timely moment, considering that Nkasi District has frequently experienced disasters caused by strong winds, human and animal disease outbreaks, floods, as well as recurring human–wildlife conflicts.
“I have been informed that the results of the Disaster Risk Assessment conducted in Nkasi District in January 2026 revealed the presence of other hazards which, although they have not caused major impacts, continue to occur. These include crop pests, road accidents, fires, marine accidents, earthquakes, lightning and landslides. I also recognize that the District has been facing a cholera outbreak, and I take this opportunity to commend the efforts being undertaken to combat the disease,” said Dr. Kilabuko.
In another development, Dr. Kilabuko expressed his appreciation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for its financial support, which has enabled the Government to develop the Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan as well as the Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy for Nkasi District Council.
Meanwhile, the Director of the Disaster Management Department in the Prime Minister’s Office, Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Brigadier General Hosea Ndagala, said the Department has continued to take measures to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters in accordance with existing laws, regulations and procedures.
He added that, in recognition of the importance of disaster resilience, the Government has undertaken various initiatives, including establishing a strong institutional framework through the National Disaster Management Policy of 2004 (Revised 2025) and the Disaster Management Act, Chapter 242, which provides a comprehensive disaster management structure from national to village and street levels.
“It is important for the Council to continue allocating funds in its budget for the implementation of the Plan launched today and to sustain public education on appropriate early response actions, given that disaster management is a cross-cutting issue that begins with individual responsibility,” he emphasized.
On his part, Nkasi District Commissioner, Hon. Peter Lijualikali, thanked the Prime Minister’s Office and UNICEF for the successful preparation of the disaster management documents and for providing disaster management education to the District. He pledged that the District will fully implement the documents.
“The District has received a valuable tool that will greatly benefit us. We commit to using these documents as effective guidelines to deliver tangible results, considering that the Government has allocated funds to ensure that plans achieve their intended outcomes. Therefore, we must act diligently for the benefit of the entire Council,” said Lijualikali.
Similarly, the Chairman of Nkasi District Council, Hon. Richard Leonard Masai, in his goodwill message, commended the effective coordination in the preparation of the documents and urged citizens to continue taking early precautionary measures and to comply with warnings issued by experts, in order to sustain a safe and development-oriented community.
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