Online Reporter
Ray Bande in MUTARE
THE country is enhancing its climatic disaster early warning systems approach by integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems and modern technologies as part of a raft of measures aimed at meeting the 2027 UN global deadline, a Cabinet Minister has said.
The Early Warnings for All Initiative, a global effort launched by the United Nations Secretary-General, seeks to ensure every person on earth is protected from calamities by Early Warning Systems by 2027.
Strides made by the Government towards the attainment of global standards on early warning systems were revealed by Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, at the launch of the national Early Warning for All Initiative in Mutare yesterday.
Dr Ndlovu said the nation was set to meet the 2027 UN global target on Early Warning Systems.
“Zimbabwe has translated this initiative into a national obligation that will see us being more resilient beyond 2027. It is a promise we make to ensure we protect every Zimbabwean, in every village, in every corner of our beloved country with systems that translate early warning into effective people-centered transformative early action.
“The decision to launch this initiative here in Manicaland is no coincidence, but it is because this province has taught us the most important lesson of all; that resilience is not about surviving disaster; this is about including everyone in the preparation and action, before, during and after disasters, thus truly making it an initiative for all.
“The Early Warning for All initiative goes hand in glove with the National Development Strategy of leaving no place and no one behind as we move towards Vision 2030; as we move towards building a prosperous, safe, resilient upper middle-income society. Climate resilience is not separate from development; it is the foundation upon which sustainable development is built. We must break the cycle of loss and recovery and instead build communities that are prepared, informed and able to act before hazards become disasters.”
Honourable Ndlovu also underscored the importance of early warning systems in disaster management.
“Fellow Zimbabweans, today we launch the Early Warning for All Action Plan. But we do not launch it as a document. We launch it as a promise. A promise, not only to the people of Manicaland, but to the people of Zimbabwe that we will do everything in our power to protect them from the impacts of climate variability and change. We already have living examples of demonstrations of resilience through what was experienced here in Manicaland.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Early warnings save lives. Early warnings protect livelihoods. Early warnings build resilience. Early warnings work, and they must work for everyone.
“Let this Action Plan be the foundation upon which we build a safer, stronger, and more resilient Zimbabwe.”
In her remarks at the same function, director of the Meteorological Services Department and permanent representative of the World Meteorological Organisation in Zimbabwe, Mrs Rebecca Manzou said: “We are producing digitised hazard maps for all 60 districts, showing flood-prone areas, drought zones, cyclone tracks and landslide risks.
“This is pillar one, which maps the disasters that our communities face. We cannot protect against what we do not know or what we do not understand.
“As we do that we are establishing a National Disaster Risk Information Management System, so that our actions are informed by evidence and not guesswork.
“Pillar two is about observation, monitoring and forecasting. We must strengthen our ability to detect and monitor hazards. This is the eyes and ears of our early warning system,” she said.
