Online Reporter
Gabriel Masvora in Kobe, Japan
THE United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction says it stands ready to support Zimbabwe in promoting trans-boundary approach to disaster management to ensure that it strengthens its capacity and minimise loses.
UNDRR director Ms Paola Albrito told Zimbabwe’s Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe on the sidelines of the ongoing High-Level Policy Dialogue on Resilent Recovery in Kobe, Japan on Thursday that her organisation would help the African country in promoting the approach as it was effective and promotes inclusivity.
A trans-boundary approach in disaster management is a cooperative strategy where countries work together to address disaster risks and impacts that cross national borders, focusing on shared risks, integrated planning, mutual assistance and information exchange.
“On the trans-boundary approach, we are willing to take the approach to ensure exchange of experiences and also build capacity so that your approach to disasters is strong,” she said.
Ms Albrito said the UN body strongly believe in the approach as recent disasters have shown that they cut across boundaries.
“Disasters know no boundaries. Sharing ideas is going to help to shape discussions related to early warning. Countries come together and create opportunities,” she said.
Ms Albrito was responding to Minister Garwe who had indicated that Zimbabwe was willing to learn from countries such as Japan on how they were managing to deal with disasters.
“In terms of anticipatory action, it is difficult to predict disasters, we are still learning from experienced organisations and countries that have gone through disasters. Japan is a case in point, they have gone through a lot of disasters such as earthquakes. We want to understand how they have responded,” he said.
The UN office said it will facilitate exchange visits between Japan and Zimbabwe among other countries that have been affected by disasters so that they can exchange notes.
During the meeting, Minister Garwe also outlined some of the activities that the country has undertaken over the years to deal with disasters.
He said the country was now involving women and youths in disaster management to promote inclusivity.
Earlier, he had met South Africa’ Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Namane Masemola to explore ways that the two countries can collaborate on in dealing with disasters.
