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Mnangagwa opens SADC meeting
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa is set to officially open the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) meeting in Victoria Falls today. The high-level meeting will focus on reviewing regional disaster management efforts, emphasizing preparedness, response, and the operationalization of key humanitarian initiatives aimed at addressing the impact of climate-induced disasters in the region.
One of the major agenda items will be the progress on the SADC regional humanitarian appeal launched earlier this year, which aims to raise US$5.5 billion to assist the 58 million people affected by El Niño-induced droughts and floods across Southern Africa. The meeting will also discuss the operationalization of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), located in Nacala, Mozambique. Once fully functional, SHOC, launched in 2021, will serve as a central hub for coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts throughout the region.
Mr. Nathan Nkomo, Chief Director of the Civil Protection Unit, confirmed that the meeting follows earlier discussions held by senior SADC officials responsible for disaster risk management on Monday and Tuesday. "Disasters happen at any time and anywhere, hence we are meeting as SADC to strategize and prepare as a region. All SADC countries, except Mauritius, DRC, Seychelles, and Namibia, are present in Victoria Falls," said Mr. Nkomo.
The meeting is expected to address several critical decisions, including those related to food security and the ongoing disaster caused by the El Niño-induced drought. President Mnangagwa, who is currently the SADC Chair, will officially open the proceedings today.
Earlier this year, the region held an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government to discuss the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the El Niño-induced drought, which has severely affected the lives and livelihoods of millions. The summit led to the launch of the regional humanitarian appeal, which garnered pledges of support from international partners, including US$33 million from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and US$10 million from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The SADC humanitarian appeal, developed in collaboration with key partners such as FAO, OCHA, and the World Food Programme (WFP), aims to mobilize resources for disaster-affected communities. At the summit, Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, the then SADC Chair, emphasized the need for coordinated efforts to mitigate the effects of climate-related disasters in the region.
In addition to the appeal's progress, ministers at today's meeting will review the operational status of SHOC and consider an addendum to the regional appeal based on updated vulnerability assessments from member states. They will also deliberate on how to strengthen regional preparedness, response capabilities, and early warning systems to prevent and mitigate future disasters.
The SADC region has become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters due to climate change, with severe droughts, floods, and cyclones becoming more frequent. The devastation caused by Cyclone Idai in 2020 remains one of the most significant calamities in the region's history. In light of this, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have declared national drought disasters, highlighting the critical need for continued humanitarian support.
President Mnangagwa had previously announced that nearly three million Zimbabweans are facing food insecurity due to the ongoing drought, prompting an appeal for US$2 billion to address the crisis. In Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema declared a national disaster in response to the severe drought affecting almost 10 million people, while Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera made an appeal for US$200 million to assist those impacted by the drought.
As discussions continue in Victoria Falls, the outcomes of the meeting are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance across Southern Africa. The gathering emphasizes the need for continued collaboration and resource mobilization to address the growing challenges posed by climate-induced disasters.
One of the major agenda items will be the progress on the SADC regional humanitarian appeal launched earlier this year, which aims to raise US$5.5 billion to assist the 58 million people affected by El Niño-induced droughts and floods across Southern Africa. The meeting will also discuss the operationalization of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), located in Nacala, Mozambique. Once fully functional, SHOC, launched in 2021, will serve as a central hub for coordinating disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts throughout the region.
Mr. Nathan Nkomo, Chief Director of the Civil Protection Unit, confirmed that the meeting follows earlier discussions held by senior SADC officials responsible for disaster risk management on Monday and Tuesday. "Disasters happen at any time and anywhere, hence we are meeting as SADC to strategize and prepare as a region. All SADC countries, except Mauritius, DRC, Seychelles, and Namibia, are present in Victoria Falls," said Mr. Nkomo.
The meeting is expected to address several critical decisions, including those related to food security and the ongoing disaster caused by the El Niño-induced drought. President Mnangagwa, who is currently the SADC Chair, will officially open the proceedings today.
Earlier this year, the region held an Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government to discuss the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the El Niño-induced drought, which has severely affected the lives and livelihoods of millions. The summit led to the launch of the regional humanitarian appeal, which garnered pledges of support from international partners, including US$33 million from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and US$10 million from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
In addition to the appeal's progress, ministers at today's meeting will review the operational status of SHOC and consider an addendum to the regional appeal based on updated vulnerability assessments from member states. They will also deliberate on how to strengthen regional preparedness, response capabilities, and early warning systems to prevent and mitigate future disasters.
The SADC region has become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters due to climate change, with severe droughts, floods, and cyclones becoming more frequent. The devastation caused by Cyclone Idai in 2020 remains one of the most significant calamities in the region's history. In light of this, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi have declared national drought disasters, highlighting the critical need for continued humanitarian support.
President Mnangagwa had previously announced that nearly three million Zimbabweans are facing food insecurity due to the ongoing drought, prompting an appeal for US$2 billion to address the crisis. In Zambia, President Hakainde Hichilema declared a national disaster in response to the severe drought affecting almost 10 million people, while Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera made an appeal for US$200 million to assist those impacted by the drought.
As discussions continue in Victoria Falls, the outcomes of the meeting are expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of disaster risk management and humanitarian assistance across Southern Africa. The gathering emphasizes the need for continued collaboration and resource mobilization to address the growing challenges posed by climate-induced disasters.
Source - the chronicle
