Maputo — Mozambican Prime Minister Luisa Diogo on Friday swore into office Joao Ribeiro as the new director of the country's relief agency, the National Disasters Management Institute (INGC).

Ribeiro, who was previously deputy director of the INGC, takes over from Paulo Zucula, who was appointed Minister of Transport in last week's government reshuffle.

Diogo called on the INGC to continue paying special attention to reducing the vulnerability of the population, particularly to hunger induced by drought. Now that the rainy season is almost over, and there is no likelihood of any further flooding, drought in the southern third of Mozambique is the major threat the country faces.

Mitigation of the suffering caused by disasters is a further priority that should figure near the top of the INGC's agenda, urged the Prime Minister.

She also called on the INGC's top leadership to implement the government's master plan for the prevention snd management of disasters. "We hope that the new leadership will continue the actions already under way, including mapping zones of risk, improving the early warning system, and improving the conditions for the production and storage of agricultural goods", she said,

Diogo also swore into office the new deputy director of the INGC, Casimiro Abreu.

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