The Southern African Development Community (SADC) will bring together regional stakeholders in Johannesburg this week to strengthen disaster preparedness as Southern Africa prepares for the potential effects of the 2026/27 El Niño season.

The four-day Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning Workshop, running from Tuesday to Friday, October 20 to 23, will focus on improving how countries anticipate, prepare for and respond to disasters before they develop into major humanitarian crises.

The discussions come as the region prepares for climate-related risks that could put pressure on food supplies, public services and the livelihoods of vulnerable communities.

According to SADC, the workshop will assess the projected effects of the 2026/27 El Niño season and identify urgent measures that member states should implement before the anticipated peak of the season.

El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon that occurs when sea surface temperatures in parts of the central and eastern Pacific Ocean become warmer than usual. It can influence weather patterns around the world, including rainfall and temperatures in Southern Africa.

In the region, El Niño is often associated with below-average rainfall and an increased risk of drought, although its effects vary from country to country. Reduced rainfall can affect crop production, water supplies and livestock, leaving farming communities and households that depend on agriculture particularly vulnerable.

The workshop aims to ensure that countries are better prepared to respond to these risks through early planning and coordinated action.

SADC will also review progress made in disaster preparedness since its 2024 regional workshop, assessing what has been achieved and identifying gaps that still need attention.

One of the key priorities will be securing member states’ agreement on the SADC Regional Multi-Hazard Anticipatory Action Framework and harmonised drought triggers.

The framework is intended to help countries identify warning signs of a possible disaster and take action before conditions deteriorate.

In practical terms, this could mean using weather forecasts and other early-warning information to help authorities prepare water supplies, protect food security and organise assistance for communities at risk before a drought or other emergency becomes severe.

Harmonised drought triggers are agreed indicators that help determine when action should be taken as drought conditions develop. Having countries work with a common approach could improve coordination and help ensure that support reaches affected communities sooner.

Rather than waiting until people are already experiencing severe water shortages or food insecurity, anticipatory action encourages authorities and humanitarian organisations to use forecasts and early-warning information to prepare in advance.

SADC said the workshop would provide an opportunity for member states to validate these regional instruments and offer guidance on how they should be implemented.

The meeting will also help shape future regional disaster preparedness priorities and inform programming by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, known as DG ECHO.

The directorate provides humanitarian assistance and supports disaster preparedness and response efforts. Its regional planning will benefit from discussions on the risks facing Southern Africa and the measures needed to address them.

Disasters do not always respect national borders. Droughts, floods and other climate-related emergencies can affect several countries, creating shared challenges involving food production, water resources, transport and humanitarian assistance.

Improved regional coordination can help governments exchange information, identify common risks and organise responses when national resources come under pressure.

The workshop is therefore expected to strengthen cooperation between SADC member states and their humanitarian partners, while ensuring that lessons from previous emergencies inform future planning.

However, the advisory does not specify which countries face the highest projected risks during the coming El Niño season or provide detailed forecasts of its likely severity. The workshop will assess the projected impacts and identify priority preparedness measures.

The workshop will take place at The Capital on the Park, 101 Katherine Street, Sandown, Sandton, Johannesburg. The opening and closing sessions are scheduled for October 20 and 23, respectively, from 8.30 am to 10.30 am.

The meeting is expected to contribute to a more coordinated regional approach to preparing for climate-related emergencies, with an emphasis on acting early to reduce the potential impact on communities.