U.S. Government Assists Zambia with Disaster Readiness
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(Photo: Victoria Golbus,
USAID/Zambia)
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On December 17, 2009, the U.S. Government
handed over $100,000 worth of disaster relief supplies to the Zambia
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) in the Office of the
Vice President. These supplies will replenish the DMMU’s stock
and enhance its capacity for rapid response to future disasters.
Speaking at the handover, U.S. Ambassador
to Zambia Donald Booth commented on the need for being prepared for
emergencies, “Responding to disasters and humanitarian need is
necessary. Reducing the impact of these disasters is the priority. To
minimize risk – both to the people in need and to those delivering
assistance – it pays to invest more in early warning systems and
disaster risk reduction programs. By making these strategic investments,
we can save lives, alleviate suffering, and reduce the economic impact
of disasters. By making strategic investments, we help organize and
prepare communities before they are in jeopardy.”
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A small sample of the
disaster relief supplies handed over to the DMMU.
(Photo: Victoria Golbus, USAID/Zambia)
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The U.S. Government works with the Zambian
Government to provide humanitarian assistance when and where it’s
needed. In response to drough
t and flooding, the United States provides
relief materials, supplies, and
manpower. This is done through the direct
supply of goods and technical assistance to the DMMU and various disaster
risk reduction programs in vulnerable areas of the country. The supplies
donated today included blankets, tarpaulins, buckets, water containers,
sanitary towels, shovels, wheelbarrows, picks, hoes, and axes.
This donation was made by the U.S. Government,
through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office
of Foreign Disaster Assistance. This office provides humanitarian assistance
to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the social and
economic impact of humanitarian emergencies around the world.
