NDMC Head Dr Sithole Chairs SADC Regional Disaster Risk Management Meeting

The Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), Dr Elias Sithole, is today chairing the virtual Meeting of Senior Officials and Directors of National Disaster Risk Management Agencies from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States.

The meeting precedes tomorrow’s engagement of the SADC Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management, which will be chaired by the Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.

Delivering the opening remarks, Dr Sithole welcomed delegates and reaffirmed the importance of regional cooperation, collective preparedness and sustained investment in disaster resilience.

He highlighted the challenges posed by climate variability, extreme weather events, flooding and drought, noting that the 2025/2026 rainfall season had once again demonstrated the interconnected disaster risks facing the region and their impact on livelihoods, food security and economic development.

The meeting provides an opportunity for Member States to assess the implications of the past rainfall season, consider the 2026 Regional Synthesis Report on the State of Food and Nutrition Security in SADC, and strengthen preparedness for the 2026/2027 season.

Dr Sithole also emphasised the need to strengthen early warning systems, improve the coordination and timely delivery of humanitarian relief supplies, and advance regional anticipatory action to ensure that interventions take place before hazards escalate into humanitarian emergencies.

He further highlighted the importance of operationalising the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) as a key regional mechanism for strengthening information management, situational awareness and coordinated disaster response.

He called on Member States and cooperating partners to translate regional commitments into concrete actions that protect lives, safeguard livelihoods and build a safer and more disaster-resilient Southern African region.