No One Left Behind: Zimbabwe to Launch the National Early Warnings for All Initiative

The Early Warnings for All (EW4All) Initiative is a global imperative dedicated to ensuring that every person, everywhere, is protected by timely, accessible and actionable information that can save lives and livelihoods. In Zimbabwe, the Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has taken a leading role in translating this global ambition into a national framework. Throughout 2026, the MSD, working closely with key government institutions, non-governmental organisations, civil society and international development partners, has spearheaded the development of the National Action Plan for Early Warnings for All. Following months of extensive consultations and collaboration across sectors, this landmark framework will be officially launched on 20 August 2026 in Mutare.

The National Action Plan has been developed through close collaboration among Zimbabwe’s key EW4All pillar leads: the Meteorological Services Department (MSD), Department of Civil Protection (DCP), Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), and the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society. Building on Zimbabwe’s recently introduced Action-Based Forecasting Roadmap, the National Action Plan provides an operational blueprint for transforming weather, climate and hazard information into practical action at community level.

At its core, the Plan seeks to ensure that every citizen, regardless of location or vulnerability, can access clear, timely and understandable early warnings. It marks an important shift from simply forecasting what the weather will be to anticipating what the weather will do—and, most importantly, enabling people and institutions to act before hazards escalate into disasters. By connecting hazard information with clearly defined preparedness and response actions, the framework strengthens Zimbabwe’s ability to protect lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and socio-economic development gains from the increasing impacts of weather- and climate-related hazards.

To secure long-term impact, the National Action Plan places sustainability, institutional coordination and resource mobilisation at its core. It establishes clear institutional roles, coordinated governance arrangements and stronger cross-sector collaboration to reduce fragmentation and ensure that early warning information translates into timely action. The framework operationalises the four global EW4All pillars by strengthening disaster risk knowledge; enhancing observation, monitoring, analysis and forecasting; expanding multi-channel warning dissemination and communication to reach the last mile; and strengthening local preparedness and response capacities.

The launch of the National Action Plan marks a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s efforts to advance climate resilience, disaster preparedness and anticipatory action. It demonstrates the power of bringing together scientific expertise, government leadership, technology, development partnerships and community knowledge around a common goal. Through the EW4All National Action Plan, Zimbabwe is taking a decisive step towards ensuring that no one is left behind when hazards threaten, strengthening the vital link between early warning, early action and long-term resilience.