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Nqobile Bhebhe in Victoria Falls

Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has emphasised that strong collaboration and cohesion among Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states in mitigating disasters will ensure that no one dies of hunger in the region.

Over the past decade, the SADC region has faced a series of devastating natural and human-induced disasters that have severely impacted economies and societies alike.

Delivering the keynote address at the 5th Ordinary Meeting of the SADC Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management in Victoria Falls yesterday, Dr Chiwenga highlighted the enormous economic toll of recent disasters, with combined damages and losses running into billions of dollars.

He noted that the lingering effects of these disasters often hamper member states’ ability to address emerging challenges, stressing the need for robust disaster preparedness, mitigation measures, and innovative financing mechanisms.

“The current state of affairs calls for concerted efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and mitigation while prioritising innovative financing mechanisms.

“These areas are critical and require our collective attention,” Dr Chiwenga said.

The meeting was convened to review progress in implementing SADC programmes and activities aimed at enhancing disaster preparedness and mitigating impacts. This focus is particularly relevant, given the increasing frequency of disasters due to climate change.

Dr Chiwenga emphasised the importance of regional collaboration in addressing these challenges. “Given the escalating disaster threats, collaboration among member states is crucial to enhancing disaster risk reduction across the region,” he said.

He referenced the 2023/2024 El Niño-induced drought, which has severely affected multiple sectors, including agriculture, food security, health, water and sanitation, education, and energy.

“As you are aware, the SADC region is in a declared state of disaster and is currently implementing the SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal in response to the El Niño-induced drought and floods, launched on 20 May 2024,” said Dr Chiwenga.

The Regional Humanitarian Appeal calls for $5,5 billion in resources to address the effects of disasters and rebuild affected communities. So far, contributions have included $33 million from the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and $10 million from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Highlighting Zimbabwe’s disaster management efforts, Dr Chiwenga pointed to initiatives such as food distribution programmes, borehole drilling, urban cash transfers, and the establishment of Village Business Units. He also noted the success of Zimbabwe’s drought insurance schemes with the African Risk Capacity, which have provided critical resources to address drought impacts.

“These interventions have gone a long way in addressing the needs of affected communities, ensuring that no one and no place are left behind,” he said.

Turning to the 2024/2025 rainfall season, Dr Chiwenga expressed optimism about forecasts of normal to above-normal rainfall, suggesting a potentially good summer cropping season. However, he cautioned about associated risks, including floods, cyclones, hailstorms, and lightning.

“In Zimbabwe, the current rainfall season has already started on a challenging note, with strong winds and hailstorms causing unprecedented destruction to critical infrastructure such as schools and homes. I believe some member states are experiencing similar conditions,” he said. He commended SADC for developing a Regional Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan for the 2024/2025 season, describing it as a vital step towards fostering regional cohesion in disaster risk management.

“Many of the disasters we face are transboundary in nature, necessitating joint planning and coordinated responses across the region,” Dr Chiwenga said, referencing past cyclones such as Idai and Freddy.

The Vice-President called for continued regional solidarity and the mobilisation of resources to ensure that communities can survive and recover from disasters while building resilience against future threats.