Mbabane – Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini launched the SADC Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Platform, the Eswatini National Platform for DRR, and the Eswatini Drought Centre of Excellence during a ceremony hosted by the National Disaster Management Agency on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event under the theme “Towards a resilient SADC: Advancing regional collaboration and innovation for drought risk management and early warning,” PM Dlamini said the initiatives aim to strengthen regional and local collaboration in disaster preparedness. The platforms will provide spaces for dialogue among governments, communities, civil society, private sector actors, academia, and development partners to co-develop solutions tailored to local realities.
The Prime Minister noted that the Eswatini Drought Centre of Excellence will serve as a hub for research, policy support, and innovation, combining climate modelling, early warning systems, and indigenous knowledge to guide practical decision-making. He said the centre will also improve the dissemination of disaster risk reduction information and bridge the gap between vulnerable communities and scientific research.
PM Dlamini linked the launch to the Kingdom’s Nkwe Programme of Action 2024-2029, particularly Objective 4, which seeks to improve food sovereignty and sustainable development by 2029. He added that the platforms are designed to foster early risk anticipation, regional solidarity, and innovative approaches to risk financing, social protection, and water management across SADC.
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