Regional Training Workshop for Flooding, Cyclones an d Drought Preparedness Planning in Southern Africa: 
13 - 15 October 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa
The workshop was jointly facilitated with SADC to assist national disaster managers, together with international partners prepare for the 2008/09 flood and cyclone season. The theme of the workshop was “Communities, livelihood facilities and assets safe from the impact of seasonal flooding / cyclones and drought in Southern Africa”.
Objectives:
- Coordinate and lead mitigation and preparedness actions for the potential impact of the coming flood / cyclone / drought season (November-February) and guide development of national preparedness plans;
- Review national capacities and gaps going into the 2008/09 flood / cyclone / drought season; identify required actions of regional and humanitarian actors necessary to fill these gaps in both the immediate (3-6 months) and longer term;
- Share experiences, lessons learned and tools used before, during and after the last season flooding and cyclone impact, and
- Identify the roles, responsibilities of regional partners (SADC, RIACSO & Donors) and sources of funding to address gaps.
The workshop brought together more than 70 participants representing national disaster managers from SADC member states and Indian Ocean countries, UN and international NGOs donors and academia, from across the region.
This event was a follow-up to the December 2007 Emergency Preparedness and Response workshop organised by OCHA. An major highlight of the workshop was the Declaration of Intent in which eight countries agreed to bolster regional cooperation through sharing information and capacities for emergency response as well as develop protocols that allow for the free circulation of emergency personnel and relief materials in the region.
The outcomes of this workshop are contained in the SADC Workshop Report.