Tanzania has reiterated the need for stronger regional cooperation and increased investment in disaster management as Southern African countries continue to face growing climate-related challenges.
The call was made during the Sixth Ordinary Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management under the Southern African Development Community currently taking place in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
Tanzania’s delegation to the high-level meeting was led by Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Kaspar Mmuya, representing the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office for Policy, Parliament and Coordination, Palamagamba Kabudi.
The meeting has brought together ministers and senior government officials from SADC member states to assess progress made in implementing regional disaster management programmes and strategies aimed at reducing the impact of disasters across Southern Africa.
Discussions at the summit focused on strengthening regional preparedness, response and recovery systems amid increasing threats posed by floods, droughts, cyclones and other climate-induced disasters affecting millions of people in the region.
The ministers also explored ways of enhancing partnerships with international development partners and the donor community to mobilise investment in disaster risk reduction and resilience-building programmes.
Speaking during the meeting, Mr Mmuya stressed the importance of collective action in addressing disasters that continue to threaten livelihoods, infrastructure and economic growth across the region.
He noted that cooperation among SADC member states remains critical in improving early warning systems, emergency response mechanisms and long-term resilience strategies.
The summit further highlighted the growing importance of sustainable investment in disaster preparedness as African countries face rising climate risks linked to global environmental changes.
Tanzania’s delegation included the country’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Susan Kaganda, Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Jim Yonazi, and Director of Disaster Management in the Prime Minister’s Office, Hosea Ndagala.
Other officials accompanying the delegation were Assistant Director for Human Settlements Regularisation in the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development Nicholas Mwakasege, Disaster Coordinator Dr Baltazar Leba, Abubakar Juma from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, together with government aides and communication officers.
The meeting is expected to strengthen regional coordination and accelerate implementation of disaster risk management programmes aimed at protecting communities and supporting sustainable development within the SADC bloc.
