Nyashadzaishe Rushwaya
MASVINGO RURAL-The Ministerial Roundtable on Disaster Recovery and Resilience Building concluded with renewed calls for Southern African countries to strengthen preparedness systems, sustainable financing mechanisms and regional cooperation in addressing disasters affecting the region.
Held under the theme, “Transforming Disaster Risk into Resilience Dividends: A Risk-Informed Recovery Framework for Agrifood Systems and Sustainable Development in the SADC Region,” the high-level meeting brought together ministers, disaster risk management experts and regional stakeholders to deliberate on practical solutions to recurring disasters and climate-related challenges.
Speaking during the closing session, Angele Makombo N’tumba, a senior SADC secretariat official said the meeting had come at a critical time when the region continues to face increasing threats from climate change, food insecurity, displacement and fragile livelihoods.
“This meeting is therefore both timely and strategic. Ministers will consider critical frameworks that will guide how we further strengthen the Disaster Risk Management Agenda and transform risk into resilience dividends,” she said.
N’tumba emphasized the need for continued political leadership across four key priority areas that are central to strengthening resilience in the SADC region.
She said preparedness must become a permanent function of government and regional cooperation rather than remaining seasonal or reactive.
“Preparedness must be institutionalized, financed, tested and updated annually,” she noted.
The Deputy Executive Secretary also highlighted the urgent need to operationalize the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), describing it as a vital institution for coordinating disaster preparedness, emergency response and early recovery across member states.
“The SHOC is central to the region’s ability to coordinate disaster preparedness, response and early recovery. Its continued functionality, staffing, financing and strategic direction are therefore essential to the credibility and effectiveness of the regional disaster risk management architecture,” she said.
On financing resilience programmes, Ntumba warned that the changing geopolitical environment and uncertain humanitarian aid flows require the region to develop its own sustainable financing models.
“SADC must build its own capacity to finance resilience through regional disaster funds, risk insurance pools and partnerships with the private sector. This is the essence of self-sustenance,” she said.
She further stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of vulnerability, including unplanned urbanization, informal settlements, climate change, infrastructure deficits and food insecurity.
Delegates at the roundtable reaffirmed the importance of adopting risk-informed recovery frameworks capable of protecting agrifood systems while promoting sustainable development and community resilience across the region.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from member states to enhance regional cooperation, strengthen early warning systems and invest in long-term resilience building initiatives aimed at reducing disaster risks and safeguarding livelihoods in Southern Africa.
The Indaba was held at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel from Monday to Thursday.
