Private sector urged to mitigate disasters- Vice President

Vice President Mutale Nalumango has called on the private sector to join forces with the government in mitigating disasters and building national resilience, as the country is likely to record a bumper harvest despite recent weather related challenges.

Mrs Nalumango was speaking at the handover of relief items by Seedco Zambia Limited and Zambia State Insurance Corporation (ZSIC) Life Insurance to the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU).

Mrs Nalumango said among the items donated is 1000 by 25kg bags of mealie meal by ZSIC life insurance and 10 metric tonnes of ultra-early maturity maize seed and 1000 by 10kg bag of mealie meal.

She commended the companies for their timely donations, which included seeds, fertilisers, and other essential supplies.

Mrs Nalumango said the country is likely to record a bumper harvest and urged stakeholders not to be complacent as disasters can strike at any time.

“It is imperative that we work together to mitigate their impact, ” she said.

The Vice President also commended Seedco and ZISC Life Insurance for their commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, noting that their contributions would go a long way in supporting affected families and communities.

“Companies have a social responsibility to the communities in which they operate, particularly when it comes to saving lives and supporting citizens during times of disaster,” she emphasised.

Mrs Nalumango also urged Zambians to support the businesses of Seedco and ZISC Life Insurance, saying their commitment to national development and humanitarian causes deserved public confidence and support.

“The country has recently experienced severe weather conditions, including floods and drought, which have affected several districts and communities’’, she added.

Mrs Nalumango reassured the public that government’s response mechanisms remained active and encouraged citizens to remain vigilant and report any emergencies through the toll-free line