Last Thursday saw the launch of an innovative drone-driven initiative to strengthen disaster preparedness in Mozambique, a country frequently hit by floods, mudslides, cyclones and other weather-related crises.
It’s a joint initiative by the African Development Bank, the government of Mozambique, and Korea’s government agency Busan Technopark
The Drone-Based Disaster Management Project will establish a drone training centre in Mozambique to train 30 professionals, including 10 instructors.
It will also implement a drone-based monitoring and response system across five high-risk flood zones.
It is expected to enhance real-time disaster monitoring, early warning systems, and predictive flood modelling, helping Mozambique better anticipate and mitigate climate-related disasters.
The country is one of the most disaster-prone in Africa, with floods and cyclones alone causing severe destruction to infrastructure, agriculture and communities.
The African Development Bank is managing the $967 000 initiative, which was funded by the Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation (KOAFEC) Trust Fund.
Korea’s Busan Techno Park, known for its expertise in technological innovation and disaster management, will implement the project over six months, with the intention of evolving into a centre of excellence and regional hub.
"We warmly welcome the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project as an innovative initiative that harnesses cutting-edge technology to strengthen our disaster preparedness and response,” said Mozambique’s minister of communication and digital transformation, Muchanga Américo, during the launch event.
“This is just the beginning.”
During the six-month period, there will be technology and knowledge transfer, enabling the Mozambican side to take ownership of the drone solution and become autonomous for a period of three years if supplier agreements are concluded.
