Gaborone, Botswana – May 13, 2025: The Southern African Development Community (SADC) hosted a virtual Extraordinary Meeting of the Committee of Ministers Responsible for Disaster Risk Management on May 12-13, 2025. The meeting was chaired by Honourable Daniel Garwe, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Local Government and Public Works.
Ms. Angéle Makombo N’Tumba, Deputy Executive Secretary for Regional Integration at the SADC Secretariat, opened the session.
Ministers discussed key measures to enhance disaster response in the region. Among the topics were the full operationalisation of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC) and the activation of the SADC Emergency Response Team (ERT).
Outcomes from the meeting included approval of the SHOC Governing Board’s composition and plans for its first meeting. Ministers also directed the Secretariat to extend contracts for interim SHOC staff until March 2026, with costs covered by the approved budget.
Regarding the ERT, the proposed team members, chosen for their expertise in disaster management, were approved. The Secretariat was urged to coordinate training for the team to ensure rapid deployment in the event of regional emergencies.
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