Story by Bruce Chahwanda
THE Zimbabwe National Disaster Management Centre is nearing completion, with the equipping of the centre now on course ahead of its commissioning, as the Second Republic invests in effective disaster management.
As part of efforts to ensure effective disaster management, the government, through harnessing public-private partnerships, has constructed the centre in Harare, with the project almost complete.
The centre will incorporate the National Emergency Operation Centre, a one-stop shop housing all stakeholders in disaster response, offering a clear picture of the prevailing situation nationwide, thanks to technological advancements.
Department of Civil Protection Chief Director, Mr Nathan Nkomo says once the installation of critical equipment is complete, the centre will be ready for commissioning.
“When you look at all the other disaster-related management centres in Zimbabwe, we have the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, we have EMA, which is also responsible for the environment, all those centres will be linked to this centre.
In terms of interoperability between this centre and the SADC humanitarian operations centre in Nacala for SADC, I think this will be the best one to deal with that shock, to deal with the shock in Nacala. In 2019, the government, in its wisdom, created what we called a National Command Centre, made up of securocrats and civilians. You will see the soldiers in that room, you will see the Central Intelligence in that room, the prison services in that room, and the police officers in that room,” he said.
With Zimbabwe being prone to several disasters ranging from natural to climate change-induced, the Department of Civil Protection, has expressed readiness for the forthcoming rainfall season.
“Digitisation is at the heart of this new centre. Chiefs and other local leaders will be provided with smart devices, allowing for real-time, two-way information flow, from the grassroots to the centre and back. We have completed the prototype for the Zimbabwe Integrated Disaster Risk Management System, and it is now under review by national security stakeholders. This system focuses on five key hazard areas: environmental, technical, biological, geophysical, and health-related risks,” Mr Nkomo explained.
He emphasised that disaster risk management is a cross-cutting issue, affecting every sector, and noted that climate change continues to manifest through events such as floods, flash flooding, and cyclones, all of which will be managed through the new centre.
The National Disaster Management Centre will be linked to the SADC Humanitarian Operation Centre in Nacala, Mozambique, with the seamless connection set to ensure prompt responses to any disaster.
Government departments integrated under the National Disaster Management Centre will also play an important role towards disaster response.
