With the Southern African Development Community (SADC) facing a potentially severe El Niño during the 2026/2027 rainy season, the 16-member bloc is advancing proactive disaster risk governance and resilience building.   

SADC's proactive advancement has been demonstrated by its participation at the ongoing inaugural International Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience in Africa.

SADC deputy executive secretary for corporate affairs, Judith Kateera, is leading a delegation participating at the conference being held in Maputo under the theme 'Scaling Proactive Governance and Strategic Investment for Disaster Risk Reduction and a Resilient Africa'.

The Head of Communications and Public Relations at SADC Secretariat, Barbara Lopi, said the participation of SADC at the conference underscores the region's commitment to advancing proactive disaster risk governance and resilience building.

"The conference is taking place at a critical moment when increasing disasters and hazards, such as droughts, floods, cyclones and other extreme weather events, place immense pressure on economies, infrastructure, food systems and vulnerable populations and threaten to reverse development gains in the SADC region and Africa at large."

Agriculture remains the backbone of SADC economies and the main source for livelihoods for more than 70% of the region's population, with agricultural growth recovered to an estimated 2-3% in 2025 after a negative growth in 2024.