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SADC better placed to fight disasters

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states are now better placed to manage the effects of natural disasters. Speaking yesterday during the official opening of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre, His Excellency the President- Dr. Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi said with the Centre now in place, SADC is better placed against natural disasters.

“We believe that the effectiveness with which any region can address the impact of disasters depends on its institutional capacities, to develop and coordinate disaster risk frameworks, preparedness, collective response, and recovery operations. We are confident that the Centre will be able to effectively manage regional capabilities, including disaster risk funding; technical expertise, and equipment; as well as collaboration with national, regional, and international cooperating partners.” Masisi asserted.

Masisi indicated that the Centre comes at a good time given the hard time SADC has been through due to natural disasters. Southern Africa has experienced the devastating impacts due to cyclones in the near past. In the beginning of 2017 there was an occurance of cyclone Dineo which caused damage to property, as well as lives and livelihoods. Similarly, earlier this year there came cyclone Eloise which had similar impacts as cyclone Dineo.

Being next to the the ocean, Mozambique was one of the most affected countries. Against that background, SADC decided to build the Centre at Mozambique.

“In Mozambique, we all know the attendant dire humanitarian impact of the situation in some parts of the Cabo Delgado province. As we all know, many of our countries continue to suffer from the devastating impacts of recurring disasters across the region. These disasters not only exert a heavy toll on the lives and livelihoods of the people of this region but also continue to derail our collective and individual efforts towards the realisation of our aspirations of regional integration and socio-economic prosperity. We still recall the devastating effects of the strong winds, heavy rains, and floods that followed the landfall of Tropical Cyclone Eloise early this year. This affected many countries in the region, including Mozambique, Botswana, Eswatini, Madagascar, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.” Masisi recalled.

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