By Kwedu News
Mutare, Zimbabwe – In a landmark move to bolster Zimbabwe’s resilience against increasingly frequent climate-induced disasters, the country is set to establish its first Institute of Civil Protection and Disaster Management. The initiative, a collaboration between Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences and the city of Mutare, aims to significantly enhance emergency response capabilities across the nation and the wider Southern Africa region.
The announcement came following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the university and the Mutare City Council. Professor Albert Chahwanda, Vice Chancellor of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences, highlighted the institute’s significance: “This MOU marks the establishment of an institute of civil protection and disaster management – a first for both Zimbabwe and the Southern African region.”
The institute’s curriculum will offer comprehensive training to a diverse range of stakeholders, including local councils, private companies operating in sectors like timber and fuel, and emergency response teams. Professor Chahwanda outlined the phased approach to the institute’s development. The initial phase will focus on a certificate program in disaster and firefighting engineering. “This will be followed by more advanced programs over the next decade, with the first five years involving specialized training for personnel in Belarus,” he explained.
Mutare City Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka emphasized the institute’s critical role in developing a highly skilled and versatile workforce. “We envision training firefighters capable of handling a wide spectrum of emergencies, including sea diving and responses to diverse disasters. Our hope is that this will serve as a solution for the entire country,” he stated.
Chafesuka acknowledged the government’s recent efforts to equip local authorities with firefighting equipment, but stressed the critical need for adequately trained personnel to operate this equipment effectively. “The challenge has been a significant exodus of personnel overseas. The institute’s training programs will create a substantial buffer, strengthening our emergency response capabilities,” he added.
The government’s support for the initiative is unequivocal. Munyaradzi Rubaya, Director in the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Manicaland, emphasized that the institute’s establishment is long overdue, given the increasing frequency and severity of disasters affecting the nation.
“The signing of this MOU marks the birth of the Institute of Civil Protection,” Rubaya stated. “This development aligns perfectly with the Second Republic’s commitment to strengthening disaster preparedness and enhancing community-based recovery mechanisms.”
He cited the devastating impact of cyclones Eline and Idai on Manicaland as stark reminders of the urgent need for improved disaster management strategies. Furthermore, a major fire incident in Nyanga last year underscored the critical need for enhanced response capabilities.
The establishment of the Institute of Civil Protection and Disaster Management represents a significant step towards building a more resilient and safer Zimbabwe, better equipped to face the challenges of climate change and other disaster threats. The long-term vision is to create a regional hub for expertise and training, impacting the disaster management landscape across Southern Africa.
