The African Union Commission (AUC), the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) secretariat, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and the SADC Humanitarian Operations Centre (SHOC) are conducting a joint monitoring mission in Mozambique from 24 to 28 February 2025. The visit started with a courtesy visit to the National Institute for Disaster Risk Management and Reduction (INGD) President, Her Excellency Luisa Celma Meque.

In welcoming the joint delegation, H.E. Luisa Celma noted that the visit will be an opportunity to share experiences and find solutions to disaster risk reduction (DRR) issues affecting the region. In highlighting the efforts of Mozambique to reduce disaster losses, the president outlined the key legislations that govern disaster risk reduction in the country and key institutions. She noted that disasters continue to be a top priority for Mozambique, informing the delegation that about 2.2 million people will be affected by drought in the coming year. Ongoing measures include anticipatory action for drought. The INGD president thanked the AU Commission and SADC for implementing the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) programme and supporting SHOC.

Mr Harsen Nyambe, AUC Director for Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy (SEBE), thanked the President for the welcome and indicated that the purpose of the mission was to take stock of the progress in establishing SHOC. He emphasised that disaster risk reduction is everybody's business, hence the multi-agency delegation. He applauded Mozambique for its efforts in disaster risk reduction, noting that other countries can learn a lot from Mozambique. He said that SHOC was inspired by the former President of Mozambique and the AU Champion of Disaster Risk Management. He thanked Mozambique for its leadership. It has been provided through the AU Champion's office. He reported that the African Union, through AMHEWAS, adds an element to transboundary early warning systems and disaster risk management. He said the African Union looks forward to the contribution of SHOC to the development of transboundary disaster risk management frameworks, as countries must work together to address transboundary risks.

The SADC Head of Delegation, Dr Pios Ncube, reiterated the Director's remarks and thanked the President of INGD for welcoming the delegation. He informed H.E. Luisa Celma about the ongoing Disaster Risk Management Strengthening in SADC (DRMSS) project, which is being implemented by SADC, with IFRC and OCHA as the implementing partners. 

Ms Naemi Heita, the IFRC’s Head of delegation, informed the president that the Federation is happy with the progress made in establishing the SHOC. She reported that national societies had used early warning information to prepare for the ground. She emphasized that the IFRC would like to strengthen collaboration with INGD so that information reaches the last mile. She reported that the IFRC supports SHOC in developing standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The OCHA representative, Ms Janet Muthami, informed the President that the agency partners in implementing the DRMSS project. OCHA supports the SHOC and will deploy an emergency alert system there.

For further information, please contact:

Ms Teresa Pinto, Technical Coordinator, Disaster Risk Reduction Unit | Directorate of Sustainable Environment and Blue Economy | African Union Commission | E-mail: PintoT@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

For media enquiry:

Mr Molalet Tsedeke | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-911-630 631 | E-mail: MolaletT@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Ms. Maryanne Muriuki, Communications Analyst – Disaster Risk Reduction | Disaster Risk Reduction Unit | African Union Commission | E-mail: MuriukiM@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

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