Ecologists call on stakeholders to devise measures to avert future disasters

In a bid to lessen vulnerability to disasters and risks associated with the ongoing floods, environmentalists are now calling for concerted efforts among all stakeholders to avert future devastations.

The risks have been occasioned by poor urban planning, low adaptive capacity, low level of disaster and risk awareness and preparedness.

Moses Muya, the chairman in charge of Hearts of Green Organisation, a local non-governmental organisation that has been undertaking environmental conservation through the “Adopt a Tree” model in schools says that the ongoing flooding crisis in the country has resulted in high poverty levels and environmental ruin.

Vulnerable groups

He singled out that the crisis has not only affected vulnerable groups in the community such as women, children, people living with disabilities and the elderly but has also affected education following postponement of school’s reopening dates with a hope that the rains will subside. “Climate change is one of the greatest risks facing humanity today.  Over the years, drought, floods, wild fires, and heat waves have led to loss of lives, destruction of lives and livelihoods across the globe. At the local level, we need to jointly put in place enough measures that can avert situations like the one we have witnessed this year,” said Muya.

Among other things, Muya called on NGO’s, scientists, business community, learning institutions and the general public to jointly curb climate change and its devastating impacts saying that both climate mitigation and adaptation measures need to receive equal measure of financing and commitment.

Over the last few months, the country has experienced devastating impacts of climate change characterised by abnormally heavy rainfall.