Windhoek Marks International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with Strong Call for Resilience Investment

Windhoek Marks International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with Strong Call for Resilience Investment. The City of Windhoek (CoW) joined forces with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), the Khomas Regional Council, and the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF) Namibia to commemorate the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2025 at UN Plaza. The event united national and local leaders under the theme “Invest in Resilience, Not Recovery,” reaffirming Namibia’s commitment to proactive disaster preparedness.

Her Worship, Cllr. Ndeshihafela Larandja, Mayor of Windhoek, underscored the economic and social value of forward-thinking investment. “Every dollar invested in resilience saves four in recovery,” she said, announcing the City’s continued implementation of its Disaster Risk Reduction Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2030. The plan positions Windhoek to become a Disaster-Resilient Hub by 2030, emphasizing collaboration across government and community structures.

Delivering the keynote address, the Right Honourable Dr. Elijah Ngurare, Prime Minister of Namibia, highlighted the urgency of preparedness. “The cost of inaction is always greater than the cost of preparedness,” he stated, calling on public and private sectors, regional authorities, and development partners to integrate disaster risk reduction into their budgets and operations. His remarks aligned with Namibia’s broader commitments under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and NDP6.

EIF Namibia CEO Benedict Libanda and Ms. Hopolang Phororo also echoed the message of prevention over response, stressing that investments made today build safer, more resilient communities for the future.