DoDMA Resilient Officer Hanke Ndawu said this in Neno during an interface that the Civil Society Network on Climate Change (CISONECC) and the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) organized with Area Disaster Risk Management Committees to remind them of their role in warning people of impending disasters and recovery plans.

According to Ndawu, the Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Energy in Malawi (CCASE): Investments for Prevention of Loss and Damage in Malawi Projects are an answer to how people should carry themselves now when disaster is becoming an annual event.

Ndawu added that people should always prepare well, saying disasters cost a lot in the absence of an anticipatory action plan hence a need to remind people to always have plans in how to deal with disasters.

The orientation which incorporated journalists also focused on the role the media play in sensitizing the masses on climate related issues.

One of the participants from Neno FM Jayne Chinkwita applauded the two organisations for the initiative saying the orientation has prepared her to report well on climate change issues and help people to understand new ways of dealing with natural disasters.

"I am ready to produce news content that is rich enough with adaptation methods and also tell the people how to do Climate Smart Agriculture", she said.

Russell Msiska, whose organization Beyond Our Hearts Foundation is a member of CISONECC, pledged to intensify awareness campaigns to lessen the impact of climate change while also advocating for the adoption of climate-smart agriculture techniques.

He said that, there is a need for collaboration between Village and Area Disaster Risk Management Committees and other stakeholders if they are to ably combat the effects that disasters leave behind.

On her part, CISONECC programs manager Ruth Likambale challenged the oriented committees to go around with the massages of climate change and provide alternative sources of energy that are environmentally friendly.

She said that "We must refuse to use firewood and charcoal as sources of energy but rather we should focus on going green and use sustainable sources of energy such as the use of briquettes and green houses for agriculture".

CISONECC and the Evangelical Association of Malawi with financial support from Christian Aid are implementing a Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Energy in Malawi project in Neno district.