Bulawayo, (New Ziana)- Zimbabwe needs evacuation centers supported by warehouses to enable swift assistance during disasters, an official has said.
Chief Director of the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) Nathan Nkomo, said this during a joint workshop to discuss the 2023/2024 El Niño-induced drought and lessons learnt which was attended by stakeholders from the government, the private sector, and United Nations agencies.
“We must critically examine our infrastructure and this is where our greatest shortfall lies. We need evacuation centres supported by dedicated warehouses in identified disaster-prone areas. Proactively establishing these logistical hubs will fundamentally strengthen our evacuation strategies,” he said.
He cited tsunami evacuation centres in India as a model, noting their strategic placement within walking distance of identified high-risk zones.
“We need partners to develop similar evacuation centres in Chimanimani. The land is available our layout plan designates 720 unsold stands with clearly demarcated sites. Interested organizations can approach us directly to secure land and establish these critical facilities,” he said, commending Save the Children for establishing two evacuation centres in Manicaland province.
Nkomo also highlighted the critical need for Zimbabwe to adopt modern technology in disaster management, saying they were currently developing an integrated disaster risk management system for the National Emergency Operations Centre.
“I am pleased to confirm the prototype is operational and will soon be formally commissioned by relevant authorities,” Nkomo said, while further stressing the critical role of early warning systems.
“While hydrometeorological hazards dominate disaster perceptions constituting nearly 80 percent of incidents post Cyclone Idai, our early warning ecosystem extends far beyond weather. Agriculture functions as a critical frontline unit monitoring crop stress, zoonotic threats like rabies, and emerging disease patterns between animals and humans,” explained.
“Drought monitoring extends beyond the Food and Nutrition Council. We track assistance registers from the Department of Social Development when their data shows a sustained surge in aid recipients, it signals systemic deterioration,” said Nkomo.
New Ziana
