SADC Disaster Management Officials Meet in Zimbabwe as Region Faces Growing Climate Threats

Senior officials responsible for disaster risk management from across the Southern African Development Community have gathered in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, for high-level discussions on strengthening regional preparedness and resilience against increasing climate-related disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

The meeting, which began on Monday, serves as a precursor to the sixth Ordinary Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management scheduled for 13 May 2026.

According to the regional body, the gathering will review progress made in implementing decisions adopted during previous SADC Summits of Heads of State and Government, meetings of the SADC Council of Ministers, and ministerial resolutions on disaster risk management.

Opening the meeting, Dr Elias Sithole, who chairs the senior officials responsible for disaster risk management, warned that the region continues to face escalating climate and disaster-related threats.

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“The SADC region continues to experience the growing impacts of climate change and disaster risks, including Tropical Cyclones, floods, droughts, wildfires, disease outbreaks and other complex emergencies which continue to negatively affect livelihoods, infrastructure, food security and economic development,” said Dr Sithole.

He stressed that regional cooperation was becoming increasingly important as disasters transcend national borders.

“Disasters do not respect borders, therefore, their response requires strengthened regional solidarity, coordinated preparedness, timely early warning systems, and collective action to build resilient communities,” he said.

Dr Sithole also urged member states to remain committed to implementing key international and regional frameworks aimed at improving disaster preparedness and resilience.

“He encouraged the Member States to remain committed to the implementation of the adopted Frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the African Union Programme of Action, and the SADC Regional Disaster Risk Management Priorities.”

Welcoming delegates to Zimbabwe, Mr Nathan Nkomo said the meeting was taking place at a critical moment for the region.

“This meeting serves as a crucial platform for fostering regional cooperation and reaffirming the collective commitment to enhancing resilience against the escalating challenges posed by both natural and human-induced disasters,” Nkomo said.

He added that disaster risk management was central to sustainable development in Southern Africa.

“He emphasised that robust disaster risk management transcends national priorities and stands as a fundamental pillar for sustainable development across our region.”

Nkomo called on delegates to use the meeting to exchange ideas and develop practical strategies to strengthen disaster response systems.

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“This meeting is convened at a critical juncture, as climate change accelerates, urban populations expand rapidly, and new vulnerabilities emerge, demanding innovative, coordinated, and forward-looking approaches,” he said.

Meanwhile, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration Ms Angele Makombo N’tumba highlighted the need for member states to improve disaster preparedness before emergencies occur.

“Member States [must] continue strengthening preparedness before disasters occur. This must be supported by timely national contingency planning, predictable financing, as well as functional early warning and early action systems,” she said.

N’tumba noted that the region’s disaster landscape was becoming increasingly complex, with climate-related emergencies occurring more frequently and affecting multiple countries simultaneously.

“The 2025/26 season has once again reminded everyone that disasters in the region are no longer isolated events, but recurrent, transboundary, and cascading, affecting lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and the broader development trajectory of the Member States,” she said.

The meeting comes as several Southern African countries continue to grapple with the impacts of droughts, flooding, cyclones and food insecurity linked to climate variability and extreme weather patterns.