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At least 123 people have been killed and 237 schools damaged following heavy rains in some parts of Zimbabwe this season, a Government official has confirmed.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Benjamin Kabikira, revealed the toll during the inaugural 2026 meeting of the National Civil Protection Committee (NCPC) last week.
Beyond the loss of life and educational facilities, the Deputy Minister reported widespread destruction of roads, private homes, and critical public infrastructure.
Speaking to a multi-sectoral committee of Government arms and strategic partners, the deputy minister said the scale of the current devastation necessitates an urgent shift in how the nation handles natural hazards.
“The country has been experiencing devastating events necessitated by incessant rains received during this season.
“I am reliably informed that at least 123 lives have been lost and 237 schools experienced various damages, while roads, infrastructure, houses, and other amenities have not been spared.”
The meeting, convened under Section 5 of the Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06), marks a strategic pivot from reactive emergency response to a policy of proactive risk reduction and anticipatory action.
He also revealed that disaster risk management has now been fully integrated into the National Development Strategy 2, which spans from 2026 to 2030.
This integration aims to ensure that the country’s economic blueprint is shielded from the shocks of climate variability.
“In the wake of climate change… there is need to shift from reactive disaster response to proactive risk reduction, preparedness, and resilience building,” the deputy minister said, urging all sectors to ensure they play their part in the achievement of the national economic blueprint.”
“It is incumbent upon ourselves to put hands on the deck and ensure that as sectors we play our part towards the achievement of this national economic blueprint.”
He also reiterated the Government’s commitment to keep funding the Civil Protection Unit
“As the Government, we will continue to prioritise resource mobilisation for disaster risk management, including investment in early warning systems, evacuation centres, emergency response equipment and capacity building for our personnel.
“The success of our civil protection system depends on collective responsibility; thus, no single institution can effectively manage disasters alone.
“It requires collaboration, coordination and shared accountability across all sectors of our economy.”
The meeting, which was being chaired by CPU director Mr Nathan Nkomo, was attended by representatives from the Police Sub-Aqua Unit, the Medical Services Department, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, among other stakeholders.
Bongani Ndlovu