Zimbabwe signs US$14,5 million climate disaster risk financing deal with AfDB

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Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe

By Caleb Chikwawawa

Zimbabwe has signed a US$14,5 million climate disaster risk financing deal with the African Development Bank (AfDB) in efforts aimed at enhancing resilience and adaptation to climate disaster risks among vulnerable communities in the country.

Speaking at a launch ceremony in Harare on Wednesday, Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe said the initiative was “a significant milestone” in Zimbabwe’s collective efforts to building a more resilient and sustainable future.

Some of the delegates who attended the launch of a US$14,5 million climate disaster risk financing deal between Zimbabwe and the African Development Bank (AfDB)

“As we all know, climate change poses a significant threat to our development gains due to the negative impacts of climate change which include Cyclones, floods, flash flooding, droughts, storms among others.

“Our country is not immune to these challenges, and that’s why this project is crucial in enhancing our resilience and readiness to respond to climate shocks,” said the minister, in a speech delivered on his behalf by the Chief Director, Civil Protection, Nathan Nkomo.

Chief Director Civil Protection Nathan Nkomo delivered Minister Garwe’s speech

The initiative, run under the auspices of the Africa Disaster Risk Financing Programme (ADRiFi), puts together, the collaborative efforts of government agencies, civil society, and the private sector.

“I hasten to implore all Government and United Nations entities and agencies involved in this project to inculcate a spirit of collaboration in aims to increase institutional capacity for climate risk preparedness and management; increasing financial protection against climate disaster risks through sovereign climate disaster risk transfer,” said the minister.

The aim of the programme is also to promote adoption of index-based crop insurance to mitigate against drought and other production risks at the micro-level, according to government.

Minister Garwe said the project, which has a four-year life circle, will go a long way towards improving the country’s capacity to plan, prepare, and respond to extreme weather events in a country that has seen some of the worst experiences of natural disaster.

He added, “As you may be aware, this project is building on to yet another successful ADRiFi project implemented from 2019 to March 2024, again with the primary objective of enhancing the country’s resilience and response to climate shocks through improved capacity to manage climate disaster risks.

“The project was implemented through comprehensive capacity building for key institutions on climate and disaster risk financing and developing key instruments necessary for implementing climate risk financing, including the Disaster Risk Financing Strategy.”

The African Development Bank has been active in efforts aimed at alleviating the effects of natural disasters in the country.

The multi-lateral financial institution has disbursed US$24.7 million towards Post Cyclone Idai Recovery and Resilience Project towards the restoration of public infrastructure, irrigation, energy supply, and telecommunications networks in Chipinge and Chimanimani Districts following the devastating Cyclone Idai disaster in 2019.

“The project also helped strengthening government’s capacity to predict and respond to climate induced emergencies and disasters by complementing the recapitalization of Meteorological Services Department,” the minister said.

“The AfDB supported the rehabilitation of the 33kV electricity distribution network, including the reinforcement of the line between Chipinge and Chimanimani and procurement of trucks and heavy duty equipment for the Ministry of Energy and Power Development.”