By Phumelele Gamedze (Intern)
MBABANE – As climate related disasters continue to threaten lives and livelihoods across Southern Africa, Eswatini has joined other Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states in crucial regional discussions aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
The Kingdom of Eswatini is participating in the Meeting of Senior Officials Responsible for Disaster Risk Management currently underway in Masvingo, Zimbabwe, ahead of the sixth Ordinary Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management set for 13 May 2026.
Leading the Eswatini delegation is Principal Secretary Siboniso Nkambule, representing the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM). The delegation also includes Principal Disaster Officers Samukelisiwe Myeni and Phindile Dlamini, Director for SADC Economic Planning Thobile Dlamini, as well as Siboniso Mavuso from the National Disaster Risk Management Authority (NDRMA).
According to information shared by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Office on Facebook, the regional engagement seeks to assess progress made in implementing resolutions adopted during previous SADC Summits of Heads of State and Government, the SADC Council of Ministers and ministerial meetings responsible for disaster risk management.
For many ordinary emaSwati, the meeting carries significance beyond boardroom discussions. In recent years, communities across the region have increasingly faced devastating floods, prolonged droughts, storms and food insecurity linked to climate change. Rural families, farmers and vulnerable groups remain among the hardest hit whenever disasters strike.
SADC says the region continues to experience rising climate-induced disasters which threaten economic stability, infrastructure development and food security. The regional bloc has therefore intensified efforts to improve cooperation among member states through stronger early warning systems, coordinated emergency response and disaster preparedness programmes.
The upcoming ministerial meeting is also expected to deliberate on strengthening the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) and the Emergency Response Team (ERT), initiatives designed to improve rapid response during emergencies affecting member states.
Zimbabwe is hosting the regional meetings from 11 to 14 May 2026 as part of ongoing efforts to build a more resilient Southern African region capable of responding effectively to disasters and humanitarian crises.
#SADC #DisasterRiskManagement #EswatiniPositiveNews #ClimateResilience
