Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Journalists have been challenged to play a more proactive role in disaster risk reduction by providing accurate, timely and responsible information that helps communities prepare for emergencies and saves lives.
Speaking at the Emergency Reporting Training for Journalists in Harare this Tuesday, UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative Ms Etona Ekole, said the media is a critical partner in strengthening disaster preparedness, response and recovery, particularly for children and other vulnerable groups.
She said UNICEF values its partnership with the Department of Civil Protection, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) and the Zimbabwe National Editors Forum in building journalists’ capacity to report ethically and accurately before, during and after emergencies.
“UNICEF has a long history of supporting journalists through training, engagement and media trips to maintain excellence in ethical, child-sensitive reporting on children’s issues before, during and after an emergency,” said Ms Ekole.
She said women and children are often the most vulnerable during disasters such as droughts, floods, cyclones and disease outbreaks.
Citing global statistics, Ms Ekole said climate-related disasters disrupted learning for 242 million students in 2024, while more than 180 million children required humanitarian assistance.
She said Zimbabwe has not been spared by disasters, recalling that Cyclone Idai affected more than 270 000 people, including over 129 000 children in 2019.
“In 2025, about 7,6 million people, including 3,5 million children, were estimated to be in need of urgent humanitarian assistance due to the El Niño-induced drought, food and nutrition insecurity, floods and public health emergencies,” she said.
Ms Ekole also highlighted the growing humanitarian needs at Beitbridge, where more than 40 000 returnees have been recorded since May 2026, with children accounting for about 43 percent of arrivals, including around 2 000 infants.
She said recent tragedies, including the Kariba boat incident, showed the need for constant preparedness for sudden-onset emergencies.
“Emergencies do not affect everyone equally. Some impacts require immediate action, while others leave deep emotional and psychological scars that can last long after the crisis has passed,” she said.
She said trusted information disseminated through radio, television, newspapers and digital platforms enables affected communities to make informed decisions during emergencies.
Director of Civil Protection in the Department of Civil Protection, Mr Farai Hokonya, said the media remains an indispensable partner in national disaster risk management.
“During emergencies, communities rely on the media for information that is accurate, timely, accessible and actionable.
“Through responsible reporting, journalists can inform communities, counter misinformation, promote preparedness and ultimately contribute to saving lives,” he said.
Mr Hokonya said Zimbabwe continues to face multiple hazards, including droughts, floods, severe storms, disease outbreaks, fires and road traffic accidents, with many of these risks being intensified by climate variability.
He called for stronger collaboration between journalists and institutions such as the Department of Civil Protection, the Meteorological Services Department, the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority to ensure that only verified and reliable information reaches the public.
“For too long, the relationship between disaster management and the media has been reactive.
“We need to shift from reporting disasters after they occur to supporting preparedness and anticipatory action,” he said.
Mr Hokonya said disaster management begins with information, making journalists key partners in reducing disaster risks before lives and property are lost.
MSD head of public weather services, Mr James Ngoma, said many natural hazards only become disasters because of inadequate preparedness and poor communication.
“A hazard only becomes a disaster if we fail to act in time or fail to inform people on what they should do before it occurs,” he said.
Mr Ngoma cited flooding in urban areas as an example and said proper drainage maintenance and timely public information could significantly reduce disaster impacts.
He said the Early Warnings for All initiative, launched globally by the United Nations in 2022 and adopted by Zimbabwe, was a people-centred programme aimed at ensuring everyone has access to timely and understandable early warning information by 2027.
Mr Ngoma said the initiative is built on four pillars, which are disaster risk knowledge, monitoring and forecasting, warning dissemination and communication and preparedness and response.
He said early warning messages must result in practical action.
“When a child hears a weather warning, they should know what action to take.
“Farmers should know when to irrigate, communities should know when to move to safer areas and vulnerable groups should know how to protect themselves. Information must lead to action,” he said.
The training sought to strengthen journalists’ capacity to report accurately, responsibly and effectively during humanitarian emergencies while promoting reporting that safeguards the rights and welfare of children and communities affected by disasters.
