🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
Last verified: July 2026 — validate with your local authorities during the annual update of the club directory.
1. Emergency numbers
| Service |
Number |
| General emergency (national, toll-free) |
999 |
| Police |
995 |
| Fire brigade |
993 |
| Ambulance / medical |
994 (also 999) |
| Emergency from an Econet mobile (toll-free) |
112 |
| Emergency from a NetOne mobile (toll-free) |
114 |
| Childline |
116 |
Note: coverage of the 999 line is reliable in Harare and the main urban centres; in rural areas, calls may be forwarded to the nearest police station. Private ambulance operators (MARS, EMRAS, ACE, St John, etc.) cover the cities. Confirm the ambulance number that actually works in your area locally.
2. National disaster management
| Element |
In Zimbabwe |
| National agency |
Department of Civil Protection (DCP) — under the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works; coordinates disaster risk management (zimdrm.org / drmzim.org) |
| Legal framework |
Civil Protection Act (Chapter 10:06) of 1989 — coordination of prevention, preparedness, early warning and response |
| Territorial crisis authority |
Provincial and District Civil Protection Committees / Units (CPU), chaired by the Provincial Development Coordinator / District Development Coordinator |
| Environmental / veld-fire authority |
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) — veld-fire risk assessment and coordination (ema.co.zw) |
| Institutional partners |
UNDRR, UNDP, IOM, Zimbabwe Red Cross Society, development partners |
3. Alert systems
| System |
What it is |
Access |
| Meteorological Services Department (MSD) |
National authority for meteorology, climate and seismology; forecasts, advisories and warnings |
weatherzw.org.zw |
| CAP Alerts (MSD) |
Standardised weather warnings (Common Alerting Protocol) on the MSD site |
weatherzw.org.zw |
| MSD social channels |
Timely warnings, seasonal outlooks, cyclone tracking |
X/Facebook/YouTube @MSDZIM |
| EMA veld-fire risk model |
Annual fire-risk prediction map (July–October season) |
ema.co.zw |
| DCP / CPU cascade |
Alert relayed via provincial and district civil-protection committees |
Local authorities |
4. Key non-Rotary actors
| Actor |
Role in disaster |
| Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (ZRCS) |
Disaster management, emergency shelter, relief, health, family reunification (redcrosszim.org.zw) |
| Department of Civil Protection (DCP) |
Institutional coordination — get known there BEFORE the crisis |
| UN agencies (UNDP, IOM, WFP, OCHA) |
International coordination and logistics during major disasters |
| International & local NGOs |
Response and recovery (WASH, food security, shelter) |
| Environmental Management Agency (EMA) |
Veld-fire prevention and community mobilisation |
5. Dominant risks → guide cards
| Risk |
Where |
Card to print |
| Drought |
Nationwide, recurrent (El Niño years) |
Card C1 |
| Flood / flash flood |
Low-lying areas, river basins, rainy season (Nov–Mar) |
Card B2 |
| Tropical cyclone |
Eastern Highlands, Manicaland (e.g. Cyclone Idai, 2019) |
Card B1 |
| Landslide |
Eastern mountains, triggered by cyclones/heavy rain |
Card A4 |
| Veld fire (wildfire) |
Mashonaland, Midlands, Manicaland; season Jul–Oct |
Card C2 |
| Epidemics (e.g. cholera) |
Often follow floods and water-supply failures |
Dedicated card in preparation — see roadmap |
6. Equivalences with the guide's terms
| Generic term in the guide |
Zimbabwe equivalent |
| National disaster management agency |
Department of Civil Protection (DCP) |
| National response plan |
Civil Protection Act (Ch. 10:06) framework |
| Emergency medical service (EMS) |
Ambulance services (999 / 994; private operators) |
| Territorial state authority |
Provincial / District Civil Protection Committees (CPU) |
| National meteorological / seismic service |
Meteorological Services Department (MSD) |
| Civil-security citizen reserve |
Civil Protection Units / community volunteers |
| Inter-agency coordination |
DCP with UN agencies, ZRCS and NGOs |
Donation tax rules: rules for the deductibility of charitable donations in Zimbabwe are to be confirmed locally with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and your club's treasurer before communicating on the matter.
7. Rotary section — to be completed by your club
| Element |
Your information |
| Rotary district |
____ |
| District Governor (DG) |
____ |
| District disaster officer (DRO/DRC) |
____ |
| ShelterBox contact |
____ |
| National coordination body (DCP contact) |
____ |
| Neighbouring clubs (< 50 km) |
____ |
| Last update of this section |
//______ |
Sources: Zimbabwe Government Portal (zim.gov.zw), Pindula, Trek Medics EMS database, Department of Civil Protection (zimdrm.org), Meteorological Services Department (weatherzw.org.zw), Environmental Management Agency (ema.co.zw), Zimbabwe Red Cross Society (redcrosszim.org.zw), IFRC. Report any error: g.bourgogne.rtn@gmail.com