ZAMBIA has been allocated 70 million United States Dollar for a period of five years to implement the Regional Emergency Preparedness and Access to Inclusive Recovery (REPAIR) Project.

Speaking during the launch of the REPAIR Project and the Disaster Risk Financing Report in Lusaka today, Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane warned against corruption and industrialisation of  disasters by those involved in the management. 

“Yes, for now we are vulnerable, but let’s take practical steps, year after year, slowly, there must be tangible progress to ensure that what is disaster today, 15 or 20 years from now, will not be disaster because we have done something to create resilience,” Dr Musokotwane emphasised. 

Speaking at the same event, World Bank Country Manager Achim Fock disclosed that the Bank last week approved a US$45 million grant to support Zambia’s climate resilience for economic growth. 

And Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) National Coordinator, Norman Chipakupaku, underscored the importance of collaboration in building resilience against climatic shocks that affect communities and the national economy. 

Zambia is among six countries benefiting in the second phase of the REPAIR Project, which is a World Bank funded initiative, meant to provide governments with quick access to disaster response funds.