Meru, Arusha – 25-26 July 2022

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) – the United Nations Migration Agency – in collaboration with the Disaster Management Department (DMD) of the Prime Minister’s Office facilitated awareness raising sessions on community-based disaster risk reduction to communities in Meru district, Arusha region, with support from IOM Development Fund 25-26 July 2022.

On 25-26 July 2022, IOM successfully conducted awareness raising sessions on community-based disaster risk reduction to community members from five wards which includes Mbuguni, Shambarai Burka, Maroroni, Kikatiti and Makiba ward in Meru district council. A total of 93 people participated to the sessions. The participants came from the disaster management committees of five villages, officers from Meru district council, officers from Arusha region and officers from the Disaster Management Department as facilitators of the sessions.

The awareness-raising sessions included presentations, group discussion, knowledge and experience sharing on disaster risk reduction. The presentations contained simple concepts accompanied by illustrations, photos, and videos to improve the knowledge and raise awareness on community-based disaster risk reduction.

As part of awareness-raising, Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials which include brochure, t-shirts and small billboard with messages were distributed to participants. In addition, this, the radio jingles with messaging on disaster risk reduction were developed and disseminated.

The awareness-raising sessions were an interactive activity where participants were able to share their experience and suggestion on measures to be taken for disaster risk reduction to their villages in Meru district.

Based on experience shared by participants during the sessions, it has been noted that the common hazards in Meru includes flood, drought and disease outbreak which cause human and animal death, food insecurity, destruction of infrastructure and environmental degradation. Also, most affected sectors are agriculture, livestock and health sectors which eventually impacts economy.

During the awareness raising sessions, the District Executive Director for Meru emphasized that “community members have responsibility to take part in disaster risk reduction activities by utilizing the knowledge acquired to better prepare and respond to disasters using its own resources before having external assistance from national level.”

The Deputy Director for Disaster Management Department elucidated on continued collaboration between the government and development partners for supporting government initiatives for reducing disaster risks in the country. He also insisted participants to put into practice from what they have learned from the sessions including sharing knowledge to the entire community and participate fully in community-based disaster risk management activities.

Overall, the activity improved knowledge and awareness on disaster risk reduction. Participants learnt various concepts related to DRR, disaster management cycle, existing legal frameworks, and coordination structure in the United Republic of Tanzania. In addition to this, participants were taught on how better they can prevent, prepare, respond, and rehabilitate from disasters. Participants shared their experience on prevailing flood and drought hazards but also suggested preventative measures in the context of Meru district on which future programs on disaster risk reduction can be planned.

The next awareness raising sessions on community-based disaster risk reduction will be conducted in Dar es Salaam and Tanga regions.

For more information, please contact:

Mr. Reuben Mbugi at rmbugi@iom.int or tel.: +255 718 983 910

Ms. Valda Chali at vchali@iom.int tel.: +255 756 900 894