Saving Lives | Changing Minds
Saving Lives | Changing Minds
Disasters, whether they are natural or man-made, have significant and wide-ranging consequences for human life, the environment, and socio-economic development. They often lead to a high number of fatalities, severe injuries, food shortages, and can even serve as breeding grounds for epidemics. Recognizing the potential effects of disasters is essential for determining the appropriate course of action to mitigate their impact. This is where the Disaster Management Department within the Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) plays a crucial role.
The ZRCS Disaster Management Department is responsible for strategic planning, coordination, and implementation of disaster management strategies. Its overarching goal is to minimize the adverse impact of disasters on human life, infrastructure, property, and the environment. The department focuses on key areas such as Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change Adaptation, Food Security and Livelihoods, and Population Movement. The department operates through four phases of disaster management: Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery. Each phase encompasses various thematic areas of the department’s work. These thematic areas include:
To effectively prepare for disasters, the department has undertaken several proactive measures, including: