US$60,000 Needed To Finalise Disaster Bill

Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter

Parliament raised concern over delays in finalising the Disaster Risk Management and Civil Protection (DRMCP) Bill after the government missed the June 30 deadline to produce the final draft, with only US$20,000 of the required US$60,000 secured to complete the process.

The Bill, which is meant to replace the outdated Civil Protection Act of 1989, is seen as critical in strengthening Zimbabwe’s ability to respond to escalating natural and human-induced disasters such as floods, droughts and cyclones.

The National Assembly, Local Government and Public Works Portfolio Committee chairperson Maxmore Njanji said the delay was due to a funding shortfall and the shortage of legal drafters.

“The Department of Civil Protection has only managed to secure US$20,000 out of the US$60,000 required for drafting, validation, and approval of the Bill,” Njanji said.

“The Attorney General’s Office also indicated that they are facing a shortage of legal drafters, which has slowed down the process.”

The committee had previously been informed that the final draft would be completed by June 30, 2025. However, as of July 10, the draft had not been submitted to Parliament, raising fears that the legislative gap continues to expose communities to unmanaged disaster risks.

“The increasing disaster impacts in the country are partly blamed on weak legislation that fails to assign clear mandates and responsibilities,” Njanji said.

The proposed law seeks to decentralise disaster response and establish inclusive mechanisms that ensure the participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities.

It also includes provisions for a decentralised disaster fund to enhance provincial and district level preparedness.

“This Bill must reflect the realities of climate change and modern disaster governance,” Njanji said.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda called for stronger collaboration between Parliament, the Attorney General’s Office, law faculties and the Law Society of Zimbabwe to speed up the drafting process.

“All Committees must be alive to the existence of university law faculties and the Law Society of Zimbabwe. You need to engage and assist the Attorney General’s Office so that we expedite the drafting of Bills,” said Mudenda.

Parliament adopted the committee’s recommendations and urged Treasury to urgently release the remaining US$40,000 to ensure the bill is finalised and tabled without further delay.