By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
Southern African countries are moving to strengthen their disaster early warning systems amid growing climate-induced threats that continue to batter the region.
Speaking at the official opening of the ITU–SADC Emergency Telecommunications and Early Warning Systems for All (EWS4All) Regional Capacity Development Workshop in Harare on Wednesday, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Dingumuzi Phuti, said the region remains highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones, floods and prolonged droughts.
The workshop, organised in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union and the Southern African Development Community, is focusing on improving emergency telecommunications systems across Member States.
Hon. Phuti said recent disasters have exposed serious weaknesses in communication systems, particularly when infrastructure collapses at the height of emergencies.
“In times of crisis, local telecommunication and ICT systems can be severely disrupted, leaving communities without vital communication channels when they need them most,” he said.
The region is now pushing to harmonise its Early Warning Systems using the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), a global standard that enables consistent and coordinated disaster alerts across different communication platforms.
Officials acknowledged that many SADC countries still face significant preparedness gaps, including lack of harmonised Standard Operating Procedures, limited system interoperability and delays in importing emergency telecommunications equipment.
With more frequent extreme weather events linked to climate change, reliable telecommunications are increasingly seen as the backbone of effective disaster response — enabling governments, humanitarian agencies and first responders to act swiftly to save lives.
The workshop is expected to strengthen regional capacity and produce actionable plans to improve coordination and resilience, particularly during the upcoming cyclone seasons that often affect countries such as Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
About Author
