Stronger disaster risk governance stressed at forum in Mozambique

African leaders and regional officials have called for greater investment in disaster preparedness, stronger early warning systems and improved risk governance to help countries across the continent withstand increasingly severe climate-related hazards.

The call came at the ongoing International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa, which opened in Maputo, Mozambique, on Tuesday, as countries grapple with recurring floods, droughts and tropical cyclones that threaten lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.

The three-day conference, running until Thursday, aims to accelerate the implementation of continental and global commitments on disaster risk reduction through stronger risk governance, increased investment in resilience, improved multi-hazard early warning systems and anticipatory action.

Speaking at the opening, Mozambican President Daniel Francisco Chapo, who is also the African Union champion for disaster risk management, urged African countries to strengthen early warning systems, invest in resilient infrastructure and improve community preparedness, saying disaster prevention should be central to development planning.

The scale of the challenge was underscored by the African Union Commission, which said in a report that Africa recorded an increase in reported disasters across the continent from 612 between 2021 and 2022 to 719 between 2023 and 2024.

Speaking at the official opening of the conference in Maputo, Chapo said, "It is fundamental to strengthen our cooperation and collective commitment to building a more resilient Africa."

He highlighted how poverty, conflict and climate change increase vulnerability to disasters, while repeated emergencies undermine development progress, destroy livelihoods and put additional pressure on public finances.

Chapo called for disaster risk reduction to be integrated into development planning, with greater emphasis on preparedness, resilient infrastructure, community-level action and cooperation among African countries.

Moses Vilakati, the African Union commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, called on African governments to translate commitments on disaster risk reduction into concrete action.

He emphasized the need for stronger governance, strategic investment and sustainable financing to advance disaster risk reduction and strengthen early warning systems.

"Investing in resilience is not a cost, but an essential safeguard for our economies, communities and development gains," Vilakati said.

"We have to decisively move from commitments to implementation," Vilakati said.

Southern African Development Community Deputy Executive Secretary for Corporate Affairs Judith Kateera highlighted the region's exposure to tropical cyclones, floods, droughts, wildfires and other hazards.

She called for greater investment in prevention, resilient infrastructure and disaster financing mechanisms to reduce losses and help countries recover more quickly.

Kateera also urged governments to adopt a long-term, proactive approach to disaster resilience, emphasizing its potential to generate economic opportunities.

"We must approach disaster risk management not merely as an emergency expenditure, but as a productive capital investment that generates tangible economic returns," she said.

Catherine Sozi, the United Nations resident coordinator and humanitarian coordinator in Mozambique, highlighted the importance of translating Africa's resilience commitments into stronger institutions, risk-informed development and sustained investment in prevention.

The calls come amid continued extreme weather impact across Africa. According to the World Meteorological Organization's State of the Climate in Africa 2025 report, published in June this year, extreme weather and climate-related events affected at least 13 million people and caused more than 3,000 reported fatalities across the continent last year.

sharon@chinadailyafrica.com