Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
ZIMBABWE has officially launched the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative, strengthening the country’s capacity to anticipate, prepare for and respond to weather and climate-related hazards.
The initiative was launched at a Mutare hotel on Thursday by Environment, Climate and Wildlife Minister Evelyn Ndlovu.
The launch brought together Government, development partners, humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders committed to ensuring communities across the country have access to timely, reliable and actionable early warning information.
According to an update posted on the Ministry’s Facebook page, Minister Ndlovu said strengthening early warning systems was critical to protecting lives, livelihoods and communities from the effects of climate-related disasters.
Reflecting on the recent Lake Kariba ferry disaster, Minister Ndlovu said the tragedy highlighted the consequences that could arise when warnings do not result in timely action.
“This is why Early Warnings for All is not simply about providing information; it is about making sure warnings reach people in time, are understood, and lead to the necessary action to protect lives and livelihoods,” she said.
The EW4All Initiative seeks to strengthen the entire early warning chain, from understanding and monitoring risks to communicating warnings effectively and ensuring communities have the knowledge, capacity and resources to respond.
The initiative comes as Zimbabwe continues to face climate-related hazards, including floods, droughts, storms and other extreme weather events.
The national launch is expected to contribute to building a more prepared and resilient country by strengthening coordination among institutions responsible for disaster risk reduction, weather monitoring, early warning dissemination and emergency response.
“Early warnings save lives. Early action builds resilience. Together, we can ensure that no one is left behind,” said Minister Ndlovu.
