Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
GOVERNMENT is actively formulating and simulating guidelines for disaster and risk management preparedness.
The development seeks to enhance the country’s readiness for various disasters, serving as a critical component of the second phase of the Regional Urban Preparedness Initiative, which aims to strengthen urban readiness across the region.
Recently, officials from the Government, private sector and development partners, including the United Nations, convened in Kadoma for a two-day workshop.
The primary focus was to refine functional simulation tools and transfer both technical and conceptual knowledge to disaster management counterparts in Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Deputy director in the Department of Civil Protection within the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Farai Hokonya, reiterated the importance of a comprehensive approach to disaster preparedness.
“The simulation guidelines will help us as a nation to prepare to confront the hazards we face,” he said.
He underscored the need for a holistic strategy that addresses both urban and rural disaster scenarios.
The workshop was supported by the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid and the World Food Programme (WFP).
WFP emergency preparedness and response programme policy officer, Mr Farai Shonhai, spoke on the workshop’s objectives.
“We aim to build a common understanding of functional simulation exercises (SIMEX) and enhance national and local capacities in designing and delivering these exercises,” he explained.
Another goal is to establish a trained facilitation and coordination team that will promote inter-agency coordination and operational readiness.
In alignment with these efforts, Zimbabwe recently conducted a mock simulation exercise at the Beitbridge Border Post.
This exercise was designed to prepare for a potential influx of locals who may face deportation due to the cancellation of their Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) in South Africa.
With approximately 178 000 individuals facing this risk, Masvingo and Harare are expected to receive a significant number of returnees.
The workshop highlighted the importance of collaboration across various sectors.
Government officials noted that effective disaster management relies not only on governmental agencies, but also on the active participation of private partners and civil society.
By fostering partnerships, the Government aims to build a robust framework for disaster preparedness that can respond effectively to emerging challenges.
As climate change and urbanisation increase the frequency and severity of disasters, the need for comprehensive disaster management guidelines becomes ever more urgent.
The collaboration with international partners brings valuable insights and best practices that can be adapted to the local context.
The simulation exercises serve as practical training opportunities, allowing participants to test their responses to hypothetical disaster scenarios, thereby building their capacity for real-life situations.
By improving preparedness, the Government seeks to minimise the impacts of disasters on communities, ultimately safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
The ongoing efforts to formulate disaster management guidelines in Zimbabwe signify a proactive approach to addressing potential hazards.
Through workshops and simulations, the Government, along with its partners, is laying the groundwork for a more resilient future, equipping local and national actors with the tools necessary for effective emergency response.
