Turning Data into Action: Advancing the INFORM Risk Model in the SADC Region

The SADC Secretariat’s Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, with support from the Resilience Initiative Africa (RIA) project implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ), and in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme, Map Action, and technical support from Rivanna Strategy, recently brought together SADC Member states, Namibia governmental and non-governmental sectors, and humanitarian partners for the second INFORM Subnational Risk Model workshop in Windhoek, Namibia.

The workshop which took place from 5th to 7th August 2025 strengthened dialogue on the model’s methodology, reviewed Member States’ roll-out progress, addressed challenges, and showcased integration into national Disaster Risk Reduction Information systems, including sector data harmonisation for better decision-making.

In her opening remarks, Ms Gladice Pickering, the Executive Director of Namibia’s Office of the Prime Minister, encouraged Member States to work collectively towards an integrated regional risk profile for the SADC region. She highlighted that “It is necessary for us as SADC, particularly, to remain agile, adaptable and resilient in the models that we use.”