SADC Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management convened a meeting to deliberate on the implementation of disaster risk management strategies and programmes

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) hosted the sixth Ordinary Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management on 13th May 2026 in Masvingo, Republic of Zimbabwe. 

The Ministers reviewed progress on the implementation of disaster risk management programmes and projects in the region, including the operationalization of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), and considered some strategic and operational instruments to guide disaster risk management interventions.

The meeting was officially opened by Honourable Velenkosini Fiki Hlabisa, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, South Africa, and Chairperson of Committee of SADC Ministers responsible for Disaster and Risk Management. He emphasised that disasters know no borders as intense tropical Cyclones, floods, droughts, wildfires, disease outbreaks, and other hazards continue to affect communities and livelihoods, leaving a trail of destruction to infrastructure and economies.  Climate change, rapid urbanisation, environmental degradation and socioeconomic vulnerabilities exacerbate the frequency and intensity of these disasters, he said.

Honourable Minister Hlabisa underlined that the engagement provided them with an opportunity to reflect on progress made, assessing existing gaps, and strengthen regional cooperation in Disaster Preparedness, Early Warning Systems, Response, Recovery and Resilience-Building.

Honourable Daniel Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works of the Republic of Zimbabwe, in his welcome remarks, commended the SHOC for the timely deployment of Emergency Response Teams to Member States affected by disasters during the 2025/26 season. He urged SADC to continuously strengthen the SHOC’s capacities to be able to assist Member States to prepare, respond and recover from disasters. 

Hon. Minister Garwe outlined that the draft SADC Prepositioning Strategy presented before Ministers will enhance regional preparedness through mobilisation and stockpiling of humanitarian relief and resources for Anticipatory Action.

Ms. Angele Makombo N’tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration highlighted that the region has continued to experience recurrent and compounding shocks, as several Member States were affected by Tropical Cyclones and Floods, which resulted in declarations of states of disaster and activation of disaster response mechanisms at both national and regional levels, including deployment of Emergency Response Teams and provision of humanitarian support. 

She said the 2025/26 season has provided valuable lessons, by showing both the scale of our exposure and the strength of our solidarity as a region. Areas that the region we still need to strengthen, include coordination, cross-border facilitation, and the need to be self-sustainable as a region when responding to disasters, particularly in search and rescue and other emergency functions.

The Deputy Executive Secretary encouraged Member States to accelerate the operationalization of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations’ Centre as is central to the region’s ability to coordinate disaster preparedness, response, and early recovery. 

The Ministers directed the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre to develop a harmonised framework and methodology for joint Rapid Assessment to inform immediate response interventions by all stakeholders and to develop a standard operating procedures for the deployment of the SADC Standby Force to support humanitarian interventions.

The Ministers noted the progress in the development of the SADC Programme on Forced Displacement, Fragility Mitigation and Climate Resilience and the partnerships to operationalise it and urged Member States to participate in the process of developing the programme.

The Ministers approved the operationalisation of the SADC Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction as a formal regional coordination mechanism aligned with the Sendai Framework, the Africa Regional Platform, and the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). They directed the Secretariat to explore resource mobilisation options to ensure the sustainability of the SADC Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and urged Member States to implement the priority activities identified under the SADC Platform, including strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction governance, financing, early warning systems, and partnerships.

Ministers approved the development of regional instruments including the SADC Multi-Hazard Early Warning System and Standard Operating Procedures for Early Warning Monitoring; SADC DRM Customs and Border Taxes Instrument, Immigration and Visa Waivers/Emergency Visa Facilitation Instrument; and Health, Quarantine and One Health Facilitation Framework.