Ministers responsible for disaster risk management in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have called for a major shift from reactive disaster response to long-term resilience and recovery planning as climate-related disasters continue to intensify across the region.<\/p>\n
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The declaration was adopted during the SADC Ministerial Roundtable on Disaster Recovery and Resilience Building held in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, under the theme: \u201cTransforming Disaster Risk into Resilience Dividends.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The Ministers, alongside development partners, financial institutions, United Nations (UN) agencies and private sector representatives, warned that repeated droughts, floods and cyclones are threatening economic growth, food security and regional integration in Southern Africa.<\/p>\n
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The meeting noted that since 2019, SADC countries have faced devastating disasters including Cyclones Idai, Kenneth, Ana, Gombe and Freddy, as well as recurring droughts that have deepened poverty and food insecurity.<\/p>\n
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Leaders said these disasters are no longer isolated humanitarian emergencies but have become major threats to sustainable development and economic stability in the region.<\/p>\n
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The Ministers also raised concern over growing disaster-related financial losses, weak recovery systems, and the repeated destruction of vulnerable communities before they can fully recover.<\/p>\n
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They stressed the urgent need for climate-smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure, improved water systems, renewable energy investment, and stronger social protection programmes.<\/p>\n
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The roundtable further directed the SADC Secretariat to work with partners on implementing a Regional Disaster Recovery Framework aimed at helping member states move towards resilience-led growth.<\/p>\n
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Ministers also appealed to institutions including the African Development Bank, UN agencies and climate finance partners to support the creation of a regional resilience financing system capable of funding long-term recovery and preparedness programmes.<\/p>\n
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SADC leaders concluded that the region can no longer afford repeated cycles of disaster losses and incomplete recovery, calling instead for stronger political commitment, coordinated investment and regional solidarity to build a more resilient Southern Africa.<\/p>\n
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