Theseus Shambare
The Department of Civil Protection and Action Aid Zimbabwe (AAZ) has pledged to incorporate stakeholder feedback into the final draft of the Disaster Risk Management Bill.
This came out during a two-day all-stakeholder consultative conference that ended yesterday in Harare.
The conference aimed to review the bill and gather feedback for incorporation.
The Disaster Risk Management Bill is designed to improve the country’s ability to manage disasters.
It aims to prevent and reduce risks, mitigate impacts, respond effectively to disasters and facilitate post-disaster recovery.
The bill will establish a comprehensive framework, promote multi-stakeholder participation and strengthen institutional capacity for disaster management.
The outdated Civil Protection Act of 1989 was deemed insufficient to address modern disaster challenges, including frequent droughts, floods, cyclones and outbreaks of diseases like cholera and malaria, thereby necessitating the introduction of the Disaster Risk Management Bill.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, AAZ country director, Mr Joy Mabenge said stakeholders’ input will be incorporated in the second draft.
“AAZ, in partnership with the Department of Civil Protection and the Ministry’s Legal department, will scrutinise the second bill to assess the extent to which stakeholders’ suggestions have been captured,” said Mr Mabenge.
“We believe this joint effort will contribute to a strengthened bill that reflects the needs and concerns of all stakeholders.
“The current law primarily focuses on Government and NGOs, excluding other key stakeholders. The new law will empower local authorities to play a more active role in disaster management,” he said.
“Communities, especially women, often serve as first responders during emergencies. By empowering them with knowledge, we can enhance their ability to participate meaningfully in disaster management,” he said.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the Disaster Risk Management Bill should be inclusive.
“Updating disaster risk management is long overdue. We pledge to contribute to ensuring that the bill is inclusive, not overlooking the vulnerable groups of society,” he said.
The bill is designed to foster multi-stakeholder participation, involving the public and private sectors, local authorities, academia and local communities.
It is expected to promote a more proactive approach to disaster management, incorporating anticipatory actions, indigenous knowledge, early warning systems and resilience-building initiatives.
