Zimbabwe is set to establish a National Civil Protection School by 2027 as the Government moves to strengthen disaster preparedness, emergency response and community resilience.
Speaking during the inaugural graduation ceremony of the Institute of Civil Protection at Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences in Mutare on Monday, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works Eng. Benjamin Kabikira said the proposed institution would serve as a national centre for specialised training and research in disaster risk management, firefighting and emergency response.
At the ceremony, 24 students graduate with certificates in Fire Science and Civil Protection.
Kabikira said the initiative was part of the Government’s broader strategy to move away from responding to disasters only after they occur towards prevention, preparedness, early warning, anticipatory action and resilience building.
“The risks facing our communities continue to evolve, and our skills, systems and technologies must evolve with them,” he said.
“Civil protection can no longer be viewed simply as a mechanism for responding to disasters after they occur. It is now a strategic component of national development, local governance and community resilience.”
Kabikira said the proposed National Civil Protection School would help standardise training for local authority fire brigades and emergency services while complementing programmes already being offered by institutions such as the Institute of Civil Protection.
The initiative has also gained momentum through Zimbabwe’s cooperation with Belarus, which has expertise in civil protection and emergency management.
According to Kabikira, the partnership has so far resulted in the training of more than 134 Zimbabwean personnel and the provision of firefighting equipment.
He said strengthening domestic capacity was becoming increasingly important as Zimbabwe faced a more complex disaster risk environment driven by climate change, rapid urbanisation and population growth.
Local authorities, he said, had a particularly important role to play because of their proximity to communities and their responsibility for service delivery and risk management.
“This requires appropriately trained personnel, adequate equipment, robust infrastructure and effective emergency management systems,” Kabikira said.
The Deputy Minister commended the partnership between Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences and the City of Mutare, describing it as an example of how Government, academia and local authorities can work together to address national priorities.
He said the introduction of the Certificate in Fire Science and Civil Protection represented an important step towards developing professionals capable of responding effectively to fires, disasters and other emergencies.
The university is also planning to expand its training programmes to include areas such as Fire and Safety Engineering and Disaster Management.
Kabikira urged local authorities to invest in continuous professional development in civil protection, firefighting and disaster risk management.
He also challenged the graduating students to uphold professionalism and integrity in their duties, particularly when dealing with emergencies that require quick and critical decision-making.
“Today you receive more than a qualification. You assume a responsibility,” he told the graduands.
“Your communities will look to you for leadership, professionalism, courage and sound judgement.”
The inaugural graduation represents another step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to develop sustainable domestic expertise in civil protection and reduce reliance on external training.
Kabikira said the Institute of Civil Protection would contribute to developing the human capital needed to establish a stronger and more resilient national disaster management system.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland, Advocate M. Mugadza; Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Ambassador Frederick Shava; senior Government officials; university management and staff; local authority leaders; fire officers; and other stakeholders.
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