UN committed to addressing climate change in Southern Africa

28 November 2024, Victoria Falls – At the Partner and Donor Roundtable Discussion on the 5th session of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Committee of Ministers for Disaster Risk, Mr. Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Zimbabwe, delivered a compelling message on the urgent needs arising from the El Niño-induced drought, underscoring the severity of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the joined-up efforts required to combat its impacts.

In his address, Mr. Kallon highlighted the devastating outcomes of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which has resulted in the worst drought to hit Zimbabwe in four decades. Alongside Zimbabwe, neighboring nations—Angola, Botswana, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zambia—struggle with crop failures and water scarcity, leaving an estimated 56.6 million people at risk of food insecurity in the region. With the nation still recovering from a cholera outbreak that affected over 20,000 people, the complications of this drought have exacerbated an already dire situation.

Livestock mortality rates surged dramatically during the recent dry season, endangering approximately 5.3 million animals. Many struggling farmers have been forced to sell their livestock at distressed prices, significantly below market value, which has further destabilized local economies.

While the challenges are daunting, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator emphasized that the UN, in collaboration with the Zimbabwean government, has initiated proactive steps to address these issues. The UN’s support has focused on building community resilience, enhancing disaster preparedness through training, flood simulations, and by pre-positioning essential supplies, such as stock feeds.

The Anticipatory Action Plan, which secured USD 8 million, is a pivotal part of this strategy, aiming to alleviate the effects of the drought and enhance food security by improving logistics for nutritional support and supplementing government efforts with grain transport.

The current humanitarian landscape reveals substantial hurdles that hinder effective relief delivery. Funding shortfalls, geopolitical tensions, and health crises challenge timely interventions. In response, Kallon noted the collaborative pivot among humanitarian partners towards building resilience through enhanced partnerships and adaptive strategies.

The launch of a Flash Appeal for USD 430 million, aimed at augmenting the government of Zimbabwe’s capabilities in handling the drought’s ramifications, showcases the need for urgent financial support. While the appeal has garnered 32.3% of the required funding, the separate allocation of USD 32 million from the African Risk Capacity Replica programme provided innovative and critical resources to 1.8 million people.

Mr. Kallon also called attention to the UN’s focus on resilience-building initiatives. Development partners are harnessing timely information and sophisticated risk analysis to enhance agricultural and food security responses. Notably, the second phase of resilience programming, funded at approximately USD 1.6 million through UNDP, aims to empower rural communities by promoting sustainable resource management.

The collaborative efforts highlight the importance of stable partnerships in strengthening Zimbabwe’s disaster risk management framework. Kallon praised the government’s initiatives in facilitating coordination among stakeholders to optimize disaster response efforts.

As we cast our gaze toward the future of disaster risk management partnerships, the focus turns to key initiatives and collaborative efforts that will bolster national and regional capacity to tackle humanitarian challenges in Southern Africa, particularly in Zimbabwe, where experience has already demonstrated the value of proactive engagement.

A commendable example of effective governance is seen in the proactive efforts of the Government of Zimbabwe, led by Honourable Daniel Garwe, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, and his dedicated team. Their commitment to fostering critical partnerships has significantly improved coordination and collaboration within the country, resulting in more effective management of disaster risks.

In partnership with the government, the United Nations has played an instrumental role in developing and harmonizing trigger models for Anticipatory Action. This collaboration has led to the creation of essential tools, including the Anticipatory Action Road Map and Risk Maps, which have fostered a Community of Practice guided by government oversight. Such frameworks complemented by resilience-building platforms are key for timely responses to emerging challenges as well as recovery and resilience building.

Humanitarian funding in Zimbabwe is heavily reliant on robust partnerships that draw support from UN member states, international organizations, private donors, and UN agencies. This reality underscores the critical necessity of reinforcing these collaborations to ensure a resilient response to future crises.

One shining example of effective collaboration is the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Replica programme, which has allowed non-governmental organizations to work in concert with government entities to manage disaster risks. This model has proven effective in fostering a broad framework of partnership among government actors, humanitarian and development partners, and the non-governmental sector.

Advocacy for increased resources becomes vital in this collaborative landscape, as humanitarian partners seek to complement government efforts in mitigating the impacts of disasters and addressing the loss of livelihoods due to events such as droughts and floods.

In light of ongoing global challenges, the initiatives of the Collaborative Approach for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation (CADRI) Partnership are increasingly relevant. Comprised of 20 UN and non-UN partners, including the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, this joint initiative provides countries with access to unparalleled expertise in disaster risk management. It remains steadfastly committed to principles of conflict sensitivity and gender responsiveness, placing the needs of the most vulnerable populations at the forefront.

To further enhance our collective capabilities, CADRI is decentralizing and scaling services regionally. By leveraging the combined resources, knowledge, and best practices across various sectors—including agriculture, environment, health, and infrastructure, these partnerships create a comprehensive mechanism for mobilizing expertise to tackle disasters head-on.

At the heart of this collaborative effort is the CADRI Digital Tool, which plays a pivotal role in strengthening both national and local capacities to manage disaster and climate-related risks. This valuable resource facilitates comprehensive planning and serves as a guide for users, ensuring effective implementation of capacity assessments and bolstering disaster risk reduction strategies.

As Zimbabwe and the SADC region navigate the challenges posed by climate change and disasters, the importance of solidified partnerships and a united response cannot be overstated. Through collaboration and innovative approaches, there’s hope for a more resilient future, enabling communities to withstand adversity and thrive amidst uncertainty.

The urgent need for increased advocacy and resource mobilization is critical for mitigating the impacts of disasters. Mr. Kallon reaffirmed the commitment to the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasizing the principles of collaboration, risk-informed investment, and enhanced preparedness.

As global discussions evolve, especially following COP29’s pledges for climate finance, the opportunities for Southern Africa to secure funding for climate adaptation and resilience become pivotal. The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator underscored the importance of supporting a just energy transition, ensuring vulnerable communities are not left behind.

Mr. Kallon’s address poignantly highlighted the pressing needs and intricate challenges facing Southern Africa in the wake of these environmental disasters. The UN’s dedication to fostering resilient communities through effective partnerships and innovative co-creation strategies sets a roadmap for overcoming the current humanitarian crisis.

“Together, let us harness these opportunities to increase our impact and foster enduring partnerships that strengthen our disaster risk management efforts,” Mr. Kallon underlined.

As the SADC region navigates these tumultuous waters, the call for partnerships, and collaborative and innovative action remains clear—a shared commitment to build a more resilient future for Southern Africa amid the uncertainties of climate change.