Participants At The Workshop. Parliament of Zimbabwe
By Dickson Bandera
Parliament of Zimbabwe this Tuesday launched a two-day workshop aimed at strengthening disaster and risk management capabilities among its staff, with a particular focus on the newly constructed Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
This strategic initiative reflects Parliament’s growing commitment to institutional resilience, national preparedness, and proactive risk governance.
The workshop brings together experts and stakeholders to help establish a comprehensive disaster risk profile for the new Parliament complex. This involves a systematic process of identifying potential hazards—such as fire, flooding, earthquakes, or security threats—while assessing vulnerabilities in both infrastructure and operations.
Participants will also analyze the likelihood and potential impact of these risks, laying the foundation for informed decision-making and contingency planning.
This effort is particularly timely for Zimbabwe, a country that has faced a range of natural and man-made hazards in recent years. From the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai in 2019 to periodic droughts, flash floods, and infrastructural fires, Zimbabwe’s vulnerability to disasters underscores the urgent need for robust disaster risk management frameworks.
As climate change continues to intensify weather patterns and create new threats, institutions like Parliament must play a leading role in building national resilience.
Beyond risk identification, the workshop seeks to craft an integrated disaster risk management strategy. This will include proactive prevention and mitigation measures, detailed preparedness and evacuation plans, clear emergency response protocols, and efficient recovery procedures.
The ultimate goal is to ensure that Parliament—as a symbol of national governance—can maintain continuity of operations in the face of emergencies and provide leadership during crises.
