Harare, (New Ziana) – Following disasters usually associated with rainy seasons, the government has approved a National Multi-Hazard Contingency Plan that outlines measures to predict, prevent, mitigate, prepare for, and respond to potential emergencies associated with the 2025-26 rainfall season.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere, confirmed the development at a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday.
“The projected normal to above normal rainfall during the greater part of the 2025/2026 season, December 2025 to February 2026, is likely to experience extreme climate-induced events that include severe storms, hailstorms, floods, tropical cyclones, landslides, and other hazards of a trans-boundary nature,” he said.
“The overall aim of the Plan is to strengthen capacity for preparedness and response from the national to the sub-national levels cascading to the village level, to enhance timely and coordinated response to emergencies by the Government and stakeholders. The Plan will also instill a culture of resilience building and disaster risk reduction for sustainable development,” he added.
Cabinet also received an update on the implementation of rural development projects that were identified as direct government interventions aimed at uplifting the rural majority through agricultural development and industrialization.
The projects were planned and will be rolled out under programs and infrastructural development projects that treat agriculture as a business, irrespective of scale.
“Under infrastructure, a dam is now considered an economy, whereby each dam project is developed as a multi-faceted economic hub comprising the dam, drinking water supply, irrigation, hydro-electricity generation, fisheries, and wastewater management,” said Muswere.
“The Pfumvudza/Intwasa Program, which aims at ensuring household food security and generation of annual marketable surpluses, has recorded remarkable growth. The Zunde RaMambo/Isiphala SeNkosi project has been extended to all traditional leaders to strengthen social safety nets through supporting food-insecure households in their localities,” he added.
Water is also being regarded as an economic enabler and 2 542 boreholes that have been drilled in all parts of the country have been equipped to facilitate the establishment of 1 544 business units featuring solar-powered drip irrigation, fish ponds, and water points for livestock and domestic use.
As it establishes business units, government efforts have been complemented by development partners such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP), CARE, and China Aid.
New Ziana
