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Tanzania has joined other African countries in a three-day conference aimed at strengthening disaster risk reduction, improving preparedness and building the continent’s resilience against natural and human-induced disasters in Maputo, Mozambique.
Deputy Minister for Lands, Housing and Human Settlements Development, Kaspar Mmuya, is leading the Tanzanian delegation at the conference, representing the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office responsible for Policy, Parliament, Coordination and Persons with Disabilities, Professor Palamagamba Kabudi.
The conference, running from October 13 to 15, 2026, was officially opened on October 13 by Mozambican President Daniel Chapo, who stressed the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the growing threat of disasters across Africa.
Chapo said the gathering had come at the right time, as climate change continues to intensify extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, earthquakes and tropical cyclones, which threaten lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and economic development.
He emphasised that although disasters can occur anywhere, their impact often depends on the level of preparedness, planning and response capacity of individual countries.
The Mozambican leader called for stronger economic and social planning systems to help African nations anticipate disasters, minimise losses and improve recovery efforts.
He also welcomed the participation of African countries, saying the conference provides an important platform for developing joint strategies to address both natural and human-induced disasters.
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The main objective of the conference is to promote strategic reforms that strengthen Africa’s capacity to manage drought-related impacts, reduce disaster risks and improve governance systems for disaster management.
Discussions are also focusing on early-action financing, disaster prevention, climate adaptation and long-term investments designed to protect vulnerable communities and strengthen national response mechanisms.
Participants are expected to examine ways of mobilising financial and technical resources to support early warning systems, emergency preparedness and resilient infrastructure, particularly in communities increasingly exposed to climate-related hazards.
The conference brings together policymakers, regional economic communities, financial institutions, development partners, academics, private-sector representatives and civil society organisations to strengthen coordination and promote shared responsibility in disaster risk management.
The meeting has been organised by the African Union Commission in collaboration with the Government of Mozambique and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat.
Its theme, “Strengthening Governance in Disaster Management and Strategic Investment to Reduce Disaster Risks and Build a Resilient Africa,” highlights the need to move beyond emergency response towards prevention, preparedness and long-term resilience.
Across Africa, climate-related disasters continue to pose significant challenges to agriculture, water security, public health, transport networks and other essential services. Droughts can undermine food production and pastoral livelihoods, while floods and cyclones can destroy homes, disrupt businesses and damage critical infrastructure.
Strengthening early warning systems, improving coordination between governments and communities, and ensuring adequate financing for disaster preparedness are therefore essential to reducing losses and accelerating recovery.
For Tanzania, participation in the conference provides an opportunity to exchange experiences with other African countries and contribute to regional approaches for managing disaster risks, particularly those associated with climate variability and extreme weather.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to support stronger cooperation, improved disaster governance and increased strategic investment towards a safer and more resilient African continent.
