The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a €3 million contribution from the European Union (EU) to launch a major regional initiative aimed at strengthening disaster preparedness and emergency response across the Southern African Development Community (SADC), with a particular focus on Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The project, officially launched in Nacala, Mozambique, marks the beginning of a two-year collaboration between WFP and the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC), working under the umbrella of SADC to enhance the region’s resilience against crises.
Titled “Strengthening SADC Preparedness: Supporting SHOC for Effective Disaster Response”, the initiative seeks to ensure that lifesaving assistance reaches vulnerable communities quickly and efficiently when disasters strike. By shifting from a reactive to a proactive approach, the programme aims to equip Southern African nations with the capacity to respond rapidly, protect livelihoods, and prevent crises from escalating.
The plan includes strategic and policy support to enable smoother cross-border movement of humanitarian supplies, the pre-positioning of relief materials in strategic hubs, enhanced search and rescue capabilities, and the training of regional emergency response teams. Coordination and implementation will be led by WFP Malawi, in accordance with the existing WFP-SADC Memorandum of Understanding.
Dr. Hyoung-Joon Lim, WFP Country Director and Representative in Malawi, hailed the project as a milestone in regional cooperation, noting that with the EU’s support, SHOC will be positioned as a central force in delivering faster and more coordinated disaster response. “With the European Union’s support, we can help countries move from reacting to disasters to anticipating and preparing for them,” he said.
A key feature of the initiative is the integration of advanced technology to improve decision-making. SHOC will be equipped with artificial intelligence tools and enhanced data systems to enable early action that safeguards communities before disaster hits. Additionally, the creation of a new regional crisis fund will facilitate the rapid deployment of resources and personnel when time is critical.
Anderson Kamdambo Banda, Director of the SADC Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre in Nacala, praised the collaboration, stating: “Together, we are building a more resilient Southern Africa. This partnership with WFP and the European Union reinforces our shared commitment to protecting lives and livelihoods by enhancing preparedness and response.”
Echoing this sentiment, Pablo Torrealba, EU Humanitarian Aid Head of Office for Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean, stressed that preparedness is key to saving lives and reducing the humanitarian toll of disasters. “This project will not only enhance regional capacity but also help reduce the humanitarian impact of disasters,” he said.
As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of extreme weather events in Southern Africa, this joint effort between the EU, WFP, SHOC, and SADC represents a bold and strategic step forward in strengthening regional resilience. By investing in preparedness, early warning systems, and cross-border cooperation, the initiative aims to ensure that no community is left behind when emergencies occur.
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