Invest in public protection: ARTUZ
Providence Moyo
The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) is appealing for intensive investment in public protection across the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The call comes in the wake of loss of lives and destruction of infrastructure due to the devastating effects of Cyclone Freddy.
In a statement, the union bemoans lack of investment in structures which perpetrate the vulnerability of those from vulnerable backgrounds and widens the divide between communities in cases of natural disasters .
“ARTUZ laments the lack of sufficient investment in public protection across SADC which has seen a lot of casualties with memories of Cyclone Idai havoc in both Zimbabwe and Mozambique still fresh.”
ARTUZ revisited the plight of Cyclone Idai victims who are still homeless since March 2019.
In addition, ARTUZ calls for a holistic approach in combating natural disasters like cyclones throughout the globe whilst emphasising that the SADC region needs to scale up its preparedness in dealing with the impacts of natural disasters as the “region is always found wanting when such disasters strike.”
Meanwhile, as Malawi’s death toll continues to rise, the country’s President Lazarus Chakwera has declared 14 days of mourning the victims of the cyclone Freddy and some residents are still displaced, missing whilst others are fighting for their lives. Over 400 lives haven lost so far.
