Gov launches national risk profile of natural hazards and diseases

Deputy prime minister John Mutorwa officially launched the national risk profile of natural hazards and selected diseases in Windhoek on Thursday.

Mutorwa said the risk profile is a significant milestone in Namibia’s efforts to better understand and manage the risks associated with natural hazards and diseases.

He said the launch forms part of the government’s broader commitment to disaster risk reduction, aligning with national and international frameworks such as the Disaster Risk Management Act, the National Disaster Risk Management Policy, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Mutorwa said the national risk profile had been developed by the Office of the Prime Minister, in collaboration with the University of Namibia, through a detailed process that considered the various dimensions of disaster risk: hazard, exposure, vulnerability, and coping capacity.

“This document will now enable Namibia to determine the extent of our vulnerabilities and easily identify the sectors, communities, assets, and the environment at risk,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of shifting the focus from managing disasters to managing disaster risks.

“The essence of managing disaster risks lies in a proactive, strategic, and sustainable approach to reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing resilience,” Mutorwa said.