Emergency response needs decentralisation

SOME functions of the Emergency Management Unit (EMU), which falls under the Office of the Prime Minister, should be decentralised to the regions, it was suggested in the National Council yesterday.

The proposal was made by Swapo MP Leonard Mwilima during debate on the N$115,7 million allocated to the Office of the Prime Minister in the 2007/2008 Budget. Mwilima said since the EMU deals with disasters, it was important to reconsider its operations.”I am of the opinion that some of the functions need to be decentralised to regions, especially those that are prone to disasters,” said Mwilima.He said during recent drought and flood relief operations in the Caprivi Region, some EMU activities that the Regional Council had to undertake were delayed because the decisions were mostly taken by the Central Government.At times, he said, the Regional Emergency Management Unit (REMU), through the office of the Governor, would put in a request for assistance but it would be delayed, or sometimes even rejected, until a Central Government official could visit the region.”At that time people were suffering on the ground.Had it not been for the senior Government civil servants dispatched to the Caprivi Region, many lives could have been lost,” Mwilima said.Mwilima’s Swapo colleague John Nakwafila, from the Ohangwena Region, applauded the EMU for successfully assisting flood victims in the Caprivi Region.”Disaster preparedness should always be a priority for this management unit,” said Nakwafila.He called on the EMU to find ways to assist communities that are affected by drought in this financial year.He said because of erratic rainfall many farmers would need Government assistance such as food aid, water tankers and boreholes this year.Mwilima said since the EMU deals with disasters, it was important to reconsider its operations.”I am of the opinion that some of the functions need to be decentralised to regions, especially those that are prone to disasters,” said Mwilima.He said during recent drought and flood relief operations in the Caprivi Region, some EMU activities that the Regional Council had to undertake were delayed because the decisions were mostly taken by the Central Government.At times, he said, the Regional Emergency Management Unit (REMU), through the office of the Governor, would put in a request for assistance but it would be delayed, or sometimes even rejected, until a Central Government official could visit the region.”At that time people were suffering on the ground.Had it not been for the senior Government civil servants dispatched to the Caprivi Region, many lives could have been lost,” Mwilima said.Mwilima’s Swapo colleague John Nakwafila, from the Ohangwena Region, applauded the EMU for successfully assisting flood victims in the Caprivi Region.”Disaster preparedness should always be a priority for this management unit,” said Nakwafila.He called on the EMU to find ways to assist communities that are affected by drought in this financial year.He said because of erratic rainfall many farmers would need Government assistance such as food aid, water tankers and boreholes this year.