Zimbabwe has become the fourth member state to sign the Inter-Governmental Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC). The signing of the agreement was done on 25th April, 2023, by Honourable J. G. Moyo, Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, who is also the Minister responsible for Disaster Risk Management.
Hon. Moyo emphasized the need for well-coordinated and robust preparedness and response capacities for the region, so that Member States can be supported in times of disasters. He also stressed the importance of Member States supporting each other in the wake of disasters, citing the recent Tropical Cyclone Freddy and the support provided by SADC Member States, including Zimbabwe, to Malawi’s response efforts.
The establishment of SHOC comes at a time when the SADC region has been hit by destructive cyclones in the face of food insecurity, lack of household income, and increasing commodity prices, thereby worsening people’s vulnerabilities. The SHOC is hosted by the Republic of Mozambique in Nacala and was launched on 21 June 2021 by His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique, and His Excellency Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana and Chairperson of SADC Organ on Politics Defence and Security Cooperation at the time.
The signing of the agreement by Zimbabwe makes it the fourth member state to do so, following Mozambique, Namibia, and the United Republic of Tanzania. The SADC Council of Ministers meeting held in August 2019 in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, directed the Secretariat to develop regional Disaster Preparedness and Response Mechanisms, including the establishment of SHOC to coordinate regional disaster risk preparedness, response, and early recovery to support Member States affected by disasters.
The SHOC is a significant development in the SADC region as it will help to coordinate disaster preparedness and response efforts, making it easier for member states to recover and build back after disasters. With the signing of the agreement by Zimbabwe, it is expected that other member states will follow suit in the coming months, further strengthening the SHOC’s capabilities.
 for the establishment of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Humanitarian and Emergency Operations Centre (SHOC).){kind=link}