Zimbabwe hosts Sadc disaster risk reduction meeting

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga is in Victoria Falls to officially open the Sadc Meeting of the Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management.

The meeting started with the senior officials meeting in Victoria Falls.

Zimbabwe is at the centre of deliberations shaping the trajectory of the region following President Mnangagwa’s assumption of the Sadc chairmanship.

Our Reporter Mukudzei Chingwere in on the ground to give us live updates on the meeting. Stay tuned for more!

Summary

 The fifth Ordinary Meeting of the Sadc Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management is being held in Victoria Falls.

 The meeting has been convened to review progress on the implementation of Sadc programmes and activities aimed at strengthening the region’s preparedness for disaster management.

 Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga officially opened the meeting this morning.

 VP Chiwenga urged Sadc Member States to strengthen their early warning systems to empower communities to make informed decisions to minimise the impact of disasters.

 He said the recurrence of natural disasters in the region requires vigilance and pro-activeness, instead of only reacting when disasters occur.

 CPU director Mr Nathan Nkomo said natural disasters are as bad as wars and said there is need to be well-prepared for them

 Zimbabwe is at the centre of deliberations shaping the trajectory of the region following President Mnangagwa’s assumption of the Sadc chairmanship in August this year.

CPU director speaks on disaster preparedness

Civil Protection Unit director, Mr Nathan Nkomo said the Sadc Meeting of the Committee of Ministers

Responsible for Disaster Risk Management had a perfect start.

Mr Nkomo said disaster management initiatives are crucial as tragedies can lead to wars or worse-off crises if not properly dealt with.

“Disasters come with a lot of challenges. They come with a lot of displacements, people lose their property and lives.

“If you compare the wars in the region to some of the disasters that we are experiencing, the effect is the same,” said Mr Nkomo.

“The agenda for the meeting covers a wide range of things, including climate change.”

Sadc countries urged to have strong early warning systems

Zimbabwe has urged fellow Sadc Member States to strengthen their disaster early warning systems to empower communities to make informed decisions to minimise the impact of disasters.

Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga said this at the fifth Ordinary Meeting of the Sadc Committee of

Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management in Victoria Falls this Wednesday morning.

The meeting has been convened to review progress on the implementation of Sadc programmes and activities aimed at strengthening the region’s preparedness for disaster management.

“I urge Member States to strengthen their early warning systems to empower communities to make informed decisions to minimise the impact of disasters,” said VP Chiwenga.

“The recurrence of natural disasters in the region, at accelerated frequency, requires vigilance and pro-activeness, instead of only reacting when disasters occur.

“Disaster preparedness is the function of robust early warning systems, proper coordination, and capacitation of structures for effective disaster risk management.

“In the same stride, other components that constitute the disaster management gamut such as response, recovery, reconstruction, and resilience-building should not be overlooked.”