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SADC Strengthens Disaster Risk Reduction Efforts in Transfrontier Conservation Areas
30 October 2025
September 2025
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has taken a step toward building climate resilience across its Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) with the launch of a new Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiative.
The announcement was made during the 2025 SADC International Conference and Heads of State Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, where regional leaders underscored the importance of integrating risk-informed development into conservation and natural resource management.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has taken a step toward building climate resilience across its Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) with the launch of a new Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) initiative.
The announcement was made during the 2025 SADC International Conference and Heads of State Summit in Harare, Zimbabwe, where regional leaders underscored the importance of integrating risk-informed development into conservation and natural resource management.
TFCAs—cross-border conservation landscapes jointly managed by neighbouring countries—are recognised in the SADC Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP) 2020–2030 as vital to regional cooperation, peacebuilding, and economic growth through nature-based tourism. However, recurring droughts, floods, and climate shocks are threatening these gains, leading to water shortages, loss of livestock and wildlife, and increased food insecurity across the region.
To build momentum, SADC convened its first TFCA Webinar on Disaster Risk Reduction on 25 September 2025, under the theme “Disaster Risk Reduction and Natural Resources Governance.” The online event attracted 63 participants from across the region, representing government agencies, conservation organisations, and technical partners.
Opening remarks were delivered by Madam Nana Nonhlanhla Dlamini, Acting Head of the SADC Disaster Risk Reduction Unit. Expert inputs followed from Professor Johannes Belle of Resilience Solutions, lead consultant for the Enabling Environment for Risk-Informed Development (EE4RID) under the Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management (GIDRM). Dr. Nyambe Nyambe, Executive Director of the Kavango–Zambezi (KAZA) TFCA, shared experiences from KAZA’s ongoing DRR and climate adaptation work, while Mr. Bheki Balunga, COSPE Project Manager for the Lubombo TFCA, discussed the development of community-based adaptation plans in Eswatini.
The DRR in TFCAs initiative is being implemented by GIZ in partnership with the SADC Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) through the Joint Action NaturAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme, co-funded by the European Union and the German Government. The programme aims to improve governance, coordination, and capacity for transboundary natural resource management while taking climate change into account.
Working closely with GIDRM, commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the initiative promotes the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Risk-Informed Development into sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, and natural resources.
Participants highlighted that climate-related disasters—such as droughts, floods, and zoonotic diseases—cut across national borders and sectors, affecting livelihoods, wildlife, and tourism. They called for stronger early warning systems, better coordination, and anticipatory action supported by clear policy frameworks.
Despite limited time for discussion, participants described the webinar as a successful start to sustained dialogue and collaboration on DRR in the region. The next webinar in the series is scheduled for 9 December 2025.
To watch a recording of the webinar please click the youtube link in the more information link below.
To build momentum, SADC convened its first TFCA Webinar on Disaster Risk Reduction on 25 September 2025, under the theme “Disaster Risk Reduction and Natural Resources Governance.” The online event attracted 63 participants from across the region, representing government agencies, conservation organisations, and technical partners.
Opening remarks were delivered by Madam Nana Nonhlanhla Dlamini, Acting Head of the SADC Disaster Risk Reduction Unit. Expert inputs followed from Professor Johannes Belle of Resilience Solutions, lead consultant for the Enabling Environment for Risk-Informed Development (EE4RID) under the Global Initiative on Disaster Risk Management (GIDRM). Dr. Nyambe Nyambe, Executive Director of the Kavango–Zambezi (KAZA) TFCA, shared experiences from KAZA’s ongoing DRR and climate adaptation work, while Mr. Bheki Balunga, COSPE Project Manager for the Lubombo TFCA, discussed the development of community-based adaptation plans in Eswatini.
The DRR in TFCAs initiative is being implemented by GIZ in partnership with the SADC Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (FANR) through the Joint Action NaturAfrica / Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management (C-NRM) Programme, co-funded by the European Union and the German Government. The programme aims to improve governance, coordination, and capacity for transboundary natural resource management while taking climate change into account.
Working closely with GIDRM, commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the initiative promotes the integration of Disaster Risk Reduction and Risk-Informed Development into sectors such as agriculture, water, energy, and natural resources.
Participants highlighted that climate-related disasters—such as droughts, floods, and zoonotic diseases—cut across national borders and sectors, affecting livelihoods, wildlife, and tourism. They called for stronger early warning systems, better coordination, and anticipatory action supported by clear policy frameworks.
Despite limited time for discussion, participants described the webinar as a successful start to sustained dialogue and collaboration on DRR in the region. The next webinar in the series is scheduled for 9 December 2025.
To watch a recording of the webinar please click the youtube link in the more information link below.
More information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vz0lvwJxuqM&t=3s
