Tanzania has completed the development of its National Post-Disaster Recovery System, a major step aimed at improving how the country responds to disasters and restores essential services, infrastructure, and livelihoods in affected areas.
The system is designed to ensure faster and better-coordinated recovery after disasters, especially at a time when climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of floods, droughts, and other hazards affecting communities and economic activities.
The development was announced by the Deputy Minister of Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Kaspar Mmuya, who represented the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities), Palamagamba Kabudi, during the Sixth Ordinary Meeting of SADC Ministers responsible for disaster risk management held from May 11 to 14 in Masvingo, Zimbabwe.
The meeting was held under the Southern African Development Community, bringing together member states to strengthen regional cooperation on disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
Mmuya said the new system will improve how government identifies and assesses disaster damage by using science and modern technology.
This will help authorities quickly understand the scale of destruction in key sectors such as infrastructure, social services, agriculture, and production.
He explained that faster and more accurate assessments will allow the government to prioritize urgent needs, restore services quickly, and reduce the long-term impact of disasters on citizens and the economy.
Tanzania has also established a comprehensive recovery framework that ensures all affected sectors are restored in a coordinated manner.
The framework also requires disaster risks to be considered in national and local development plans as well as budget allocations, helping the country prepare better before disasters strike.
In addition, Tanzania has introduced the National Disaster Risk Financing Guidelines for 2025. The guidelines aim to improve access to funding for disaster preparedness and recovery by using both domestic resources and international support.
According to Mmuya, these reforms show the government’s commitment to strengthening systems that protect lives, infrastructure, and economic activities while improving coordination with regional partners, development stakeholders, and the private sector.
The government also highlighted ongoing investments in resilient agriculture and food systems, noting that agriculture remains a key sector for employment and livelihoods in Tanzania and the wider Southern African region.
Strengthening resilience in this sector is seen as critical in reducing vulnerability to climate shocks.
Through the “Building a Better Tomorrow” (BBT) initiative, Tanzania is investing in modern technologies, improved weather forecasting systems, and infrastructure that is designed to withstand disaster risks. The initiative also focuses on improving essential services in areas affected by disasters to support faster recovery for communities.
Officials said the overall approach is intended to reduce losses, protect development gains, and turn disaster risks into opportunities to build stronger and more resilient communities.
Tanzania has also invited SADC member states to exchange experiences and best practices, particularly in early warning systems, disaster data management, and the use of technology in emergency response.
The country also shared progress on plans to establish a National Disaster Management Centre, which is expected to serve as a regional centre of excellence once completed.
The meeting in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, under Masvingo, emphasized the importance of stronger regional collaboration in addressing increasing climate-related disasters across Southern Africa.
