The authorities in the district of Cuamba, in Niassa province, have allocated more than 1.4 million meticals for a contingency plan to reduce the impact of natural disasters during the rainy and cyclonic season of 2024-25, Rádio Moçambique reports.
The plan aims to support families living in areas at risk, especially in the areas of Lúrio, Etatara, Mepica and some neighbourhoods in the municipal area, where around 1,800 families could be affected by floods and other bad weather.
According to the district administrator of Cuamba, João Manguinji, in order to protect the populations at risk, safe places have already been identified for the temporary resettlement of families from the most vulnerable areas.
Manguinji also said that announcements are being issued to alert the population to the need to take precautions during the rainy season, recommending, for example, that people avoid crossing rivers when they are full, and warning them to only use canoes in safe conditions.
‘We are sensitising the population to take preventative measures, for example by avoiding crossing full rivers and ensuring that canoes are in good condition. The plan includes designating plots in safer areas for resettlement, so as to minimise the risk of tragedies,’ Manguinji said.
The amount allocated to the contingency plan includes awareness-raising actions, logistical preparation and assistance for possible victims of the storms. The local authorities emphasise the importance of community collaboration to mitigate the effects of heavy rains and winds, especially in areas previously identified as high risk.
