WARDC Outlines Disaster Preparedness Measures Amid Weather-Related Risks

The Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) has outlined its disaster preparedness measures aimed at reducing the impact of weather-related risks across communities in the district.

The Council says its approach focuses on disaster prevention, public awareness, environmental sanitation, and continuous monitoring of areas considered vulnerable to emergencies.

Speaking in an interview with Sarah Kallay Blog, Deputy District Council Chairman of WARDC, Robert Alphaeus Browne, said the Council has established disaster management structures and continues to strengthen community-level preparedness.

Mr. Browne explained that WARDC’s disaster management team has been conducting committee meetings within communities across the district to improve coordination and ensure residents are better prepared for possible emergencies.

“In the Western Rural District we try to prevent and create awareness before disaster happens,” he said.

He added that environmental sanitation remains a key part of the Council’s disaster prevention strategy, noting that regular cleaning exercises are being carried out to reduce risks associated with poor waste management.

“We try to mitigate issues by cleaning our environments each and every day,” Mr. Browne stated.

The Deputy Chairman said WARDC continues to use sanitation trucks to support waste removal efforts in communities, while also working with service providers to improve waste management, especially in hard-to-reach areas such as mountainous communities.

On concerns over illegal construction activities in some parts of the district, Mr. Browne said the responsibility currently falls under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, particularly with the implementation of the new National Country Planning Act.

He said WARDC is collaborating with the Ministry and will take appropriate action when relevant responsibilities are devolved to local councils.

“We are working in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands so when that particular section is being devolved to council, then we will come in and see what to do in terms of some illegal structures that are going on,” he said.

Mr. Browne further disclosed that the Council is monitoring various locations to discourage construction in disaster-prone areas and prevent residents from being exposed to unnecessary risks.

He noted that WARDC has also introduced sanitation by-laws and continues to work with stakeholders to ensure communities maintain clean environments.

The Deputy Chairman emphasised that prevention and early awareness remain at the centre of the Council’s disaster management strategy, as WARDC continues efforts to protect residents and minimise the impact of potential disasters across the Western Area Rural District.