The Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management (DRM) from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) will meet in Victoria Falls, Republic of Zimbabwe, on 27 November 2024. During the meeting, Ministers will review progress on the implementation of regional disaster management activities and programmes aimed at strengthening the region’s preparedness and response to disasters.
The Ministers will also discuss modalities for the operationalization of SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) as well as to review progress made towards the operationalization of the Regional Appeal for Humanitarian Assistance launched by the João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola in his capacity as Chairperson of SADC in May 2024. The launch of the Appeal followed the negative impacts of the El Nino induced drought and floods that negatively affected the lives and livelihoods of an estimated 58 million people in SADC countries that provided data.
The Ministers will further consider an Addendum to the Regional Appeal that has been prepared following the finalisation of vulnerability assessments by additional Member States that had not finalised their assessments at the time the Appeal was launched in May 2024
The meeting will be officially opened and chaired by Hon. Daniel Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works of the Republic of Zimbabwe, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Committee of SADC Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management. The Minister will be supported by Ms. Angèle Makombo N'tumba, SADC Deputy Executive Secretary responsible for Regional Integration who will be representing the SADC Executive Secretary, His Excellency Mr. Elias M. Magosi.
The meeting of the Committee of SADC Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management will be preceded by the meeting of the SADC Senior Officials responsible for Disaster Risk Management to be held on 25th and 26th November 2024.
