AS the Southern African Development Community region braces for a potentially devastating cyclone season, Zimbabwe’s disaster management systems are under the microscope.
With the Department of Civil Protection (DCP) activating emergency protocols, the spotlight shines on the nation’s readiness to confront the spiralling human and economic costs of natural disasters.
Yet, as experts warn, the failures in planning and responding to such catastrophes often stem from policies ill-suited to the growing scale of the problems and a lack of institutional capacity to implement robust disaster management frameworks.
This in-depth feature explores the critical juncture facing Zimbabwe, as top authorities, senior government officials and disaster management specialists chart a course to overcome these persistent challenges and fortify the country’s resilience.
Through candid interviews and rigorous analysis, this story delves into the complex web of disaster policy, institutional frameworks and associated strategies — revealing the indispensable lessons for communities, planners and policymakers across Zimbabwe seeking to improve the quality, robustness and capacity of their disaster management systems.
“The scale and frequency of these climate-induced catastrophes are unlike anything we’ve seen before,” the director of DCP, Nathan Nkomo, said recently.
“Our policies and institutional frameworks need to keep pace with the evolving threats we’re facing,” he stated further, adding that all line ministries that are responsible for disaster management were also in link with DCP’s multi-contingency plan for the 2025/26 rainfall season.
Indeed, the failures in planning and responding to such disasters are often traced to outdated disaster policies that are ill-suited to the emerging challenges.
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“We’re still operating with the same playbook we had 20 years ago,” says Tendai Mavhura, a disaster management expert at the University of Zimbabwe.
“The problems have grown exponentially, but our capacity to address them hasn’t kept up.”
This disconnect between the reality on the ground and the policy frameworks designed to guide disaster preparedness and response has become a critical concern for government officials and community leaders alike.
“When cyclones hit, the human and financial toll is devastating,” says a senior official at Chipinge Town Council, in Manicaland province, speaking anonymously.
Chipinge district bore the brunt of Cyclone Idai in 2019.
“Homes are destroyed, lives are lost, businesses collapse and infrastructure is destroyed and crippled.
“The resulting crises are immense and our ability to manage them is often overwhelmed,” he said.
Recognising the urgency of this challenge, the Zimbabwean government has convened a high-level taskforce to spearhead a comprehensive review of the country’s disaster management policies and institutional frameworks.
“We’ve gathered experts from across line ministries and disciplines — from public health to urban planning to emergency response,” explained Nkomo during a recent workshop on disaster preparedness in Bulawayo.
“Our goal is to identify the critical gaps and develop a robust, adaptable disaster management system that can withstand the escalating threats we face.”
At the heart of this effort is a push to strengthen the institutional capacity of key agencies like the DCP, equipping them with the resources, training and decision-making authority to lead effective disaster preparedness and response efforts.
“Too often, we find ourselves playing catch-up when disaster strikes,” lamented Nkomo.
“Our teams are underfunded, understaffed and lack the specialised skills needed to manage the complexity of modern-day catastrophes.
“We need to change that if we’re going to build true resilience.”
Alongside the institutional reforms, the taskforce is also exploring ways to foster greater collaboration and coordination between national, provincial and local authorities — a critical component of effective disaster management, according to experts.
“Disasters don’t respect administrative boundaries,” Mavhura points out.
“We need seamless co-ordination and information-sharing between all levels of government as well as with community-based organisations and the private sector.
“That’s the only way we can mount truly comprehensive responses and interventions.”
For communities like Chipinge, this emphasis on cross-cutting collaboration and empowered institutions offers a glimmer of hope.
“In the past, communities felt abandoned and overwhelmed when disaster struck,” said Fred Gwaimani, another disaster preparedness expert, in a recent interview.
“But if there are any reforms going on, there is need to deliver the resources, training and co-ordinated support that is so much needed.
“It has to be a game-changer for communities.”
Beyond the institutional and policy changes, the taskforce is also exploring innovative strategies to bolster Zimbabwe’s overall disaster resilience — from early warning systems and risk mapping to sustainable infrastructural development and community-based disaster management initiatives.
“It’s not enough to just react to disasters when they happen,” Gwaimani explained.
“We need to be proactive in identifying and mitigating risks, empowering local communities to take ownership of their disaster preparedness and building the long-term resilience that can withstand the impacts of these catastrophic events.”
As the cyclone season looms, the pressure is on for Zimbabwe to transform its disaster management framework.
But for those on the frontlines, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“Our people have suffered too much already,” said a senior official at Chipinge Town Council.
“We owe it to them to get this right — to build a system that can protect communities’ lives and their livelihoods.
“That’s the legacy we have to leave behind.”
