SADC Launches Bold Regional Action to Address Forced Displacement, Fragility, and Climate Risks
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has convened a Joint Ministerial Meeting to confront the rising challenges of forced displacement, regional fragility, and climate-related risks.
The virtual meeting brought together Ministers responsible for Disaster Risk Management, Climate Change, and Security Cooperation to forge a united front against the region’s overlapping humanitarian and climate crises.
Chairing the session, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Daniel Garwe, highlighted the urgent need for cohesive solutions.
“Fragility across the region is intensifying, driven by socio-political instability, economic hardship, and environmental degradation,” he warned. Minister Garwe called for action through the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus, backed by stronger data and regional resilience mechanisms.
According to UNHCR and IOM, over 11.4 million people in the region are currently forcibly displaced—a 34.5% surge since 2023—due to conflict, political unrest, and worsening climate disasters. The Democratic Republic of Congo remains the epicenter, while El Niño-induced events continue to displace thousands across Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Malawi.
SADC Executive Secretary H.E. Mr. Elias Magosi emphasized the human cost behind the figures. “These are lives disrupted by cascading risks,” he said, calling for integrated, evidence-based responses and improved coordination.
The Ministers endorsed a new Regional Programme on Forced Displacement, Fragility Mitigation, and Climate Resilience, centered on:
- Strengthening data systems and information sharing
- Mobilizing climate and development finance
- Integrating displaced populations into national development plans
- Enhancing regional governance for climate and disaster risks
Ministers also committed to developing a costed regional action plan, hosting biennial reviews, and engaging new partners to ensure resilient and inclusive responses.
