29th April, 2026

The Water Resources Management Authority (WARMA) is participating in a media workshop aimed at strengthening disaster risk communication and improving understanding of disaster response systems in Zambia.
The workshop, being held under the theme โ€œBeyond Headlines โ€“ Understanding Disaster Response and Humanitarian Action,โ€ in Kafue District brings together key stakeholders in disaster risk management, including the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), the Zambia Meteorological Department, the Zambia Red Cross Society, and media practitioners.
Speaking during the official opening of the workshop, DMMU National Coordinator Mr. Norman Chipakupaku emphasized the need for accurate, informed, and responsible disaster reporting.
He noted that the media plays a critical role in shaping public understanding and response during emergencies.
WARMA is represented at the workshop by Kafue Catchment Manager Ms. Chizya Mvula.
WARMA plays a key role in flood risk management through continuous monitoring of river systems, rainfall patterns, and catchment conditions across the country.
Through this monitoring, WARMA forecasts potential flood events and identifies areas at risk. This information informs early warning advisories that support timely decision-making by key stakeholders such as the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and the Red Cross.
This supports early preparedness actions, including evacuation planning, coordination of response efforts, and protection of vulnerable communities and infrastructure.
This work is particularly important in the context of increasing climate variability, which has contributed to more frequent riverine flood events and other water-related disasters in recent years.
The workshop seeks to strengthen collaboration among key institutions involved in disaster forecasting, coordination, response, and communication, with the media serving as an important link in ensuring that information reaches the public in a clear and timely manner.