Develop contingency measures to mitigate disasters

By Maricho Reporter

THE Southern African Development Community (SADC) has implored Member States to continue monitoring weather and climate risks, including the forecasted La Niña event and develop contingency measures to mitigate the impact of disasters.

In a Communique of the 44th Ordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government, held in Harare, Saturday, the leaders took note of the devastating effects caused by El Nino and called for vigilance against future weather-induced emergencies.

“Summit urged Member States to implement the SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal to the El Niño-induced drought and floods, which the SADC Chairperson launched at the Extraordinary Summit held on 20 May 2024 in close collaboration with SADC Secretariat and partners,” read the Communique.

Earlier, SADC Executive Secretary, Elias Magosi, told the Summit that the 2023/24 rainfall season has been a challenging one with most parts of the region experiencing the negative effects of the El Niño phenomenon, characterized by a late onset of rains, extended mid-season dry spells, and extreme high temperatures.

As a result of the El Niño, an estimated 67.7 million people in the region, representing more than 17% of the regional population, have been negatively affected.

In that regard, SADC, through the then Chairperson, João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, launched the SADC Regional Humanitarian Appeal amounting to at least U$5.5 billion, to support the humanitarian needs and disaster response recovery of the affected population.

In his closing remarks, President ED Mnangagwa, who assumed the Chairmanship of the regional Bloc at the same meeting said the continued effects of climate shocks, including the El-Nino-induced drought, weighed down on the region’s anticipated progress.

“Our renewed resolve, unity of purpose and enthusiasm should see us improve the pace and scale of implementing our decisions towards the achievement of our shared aspirations,” President Mnangagwa said.

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