Civil Protection Act

The Civil Protection Act establishes Zimbabwe’s legal and institutional framework for disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery. The Act created the Civil Protection Organization and the Civil Protection Fund, and designates responsibilities across central government, local authorities, and other stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to emergencies.

Key provisions include:

• Civil Protection Organization – Establishes a three-tier structure:

  • National level – Minister responsible for civil protection (now typically the Minister of Local Government) with overall policy direction; National Civil Protection Committee as the multi-agency coordinating body.

  • Provincial level – Provincial Civil Protection Committees chaired by Resident Ministers or Provincial Development Coordinators.

  • District level – District Civil Protection Committees chaired by District Development Coordinators, with your local authority as a core member.

• Local authority responsibilities – Mandates that every local authority (RDC or urban council) establish and maintain a local civil protection unit, prepare a local disaster management plan, maintain emergency stocks and equipment, conduct public awareness campaigns, and serve as the first responder to disasters within its area.

• Disaster declaration – Empowers the Minister, on recommendation of the National Committee, to declare a state of disaster (local or national) when an event exceeds local capacity. Declaration triggers additional powers, mobilization of national resources, and eligibility for Civil Protection Fund support.

• Civil Protection Fund – Creates a dedicated fund sourced from government appropriations, donations, and budget allocations. The Fund supports emergency response operations, relief supplies (food, shelter, medical aid), rehabilitation and reconstruction, training, and public education.

• Emergency powers – During a declared disaster, authorized officers may enter private property, commandeer resources (subject to compensation), evacuate persons, close roads, and take other reasonable measures to protect life and property.

• Offences – Creates criminal liability for obstructing civil protection operations, giving false alarms, misusing disaster relief materials, or failing to comply with lawful emergency directions.

• Civil Protection Act pdf (299kb) [ download ]