15 June 2013: The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) launched a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) Technical Centre for Southern Africa, known as ‘DIMSUR.’ Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and the Comoros requested UN-HABITAT and UNISDR to facilitate the process to establish the Centre, which aims to reduce vulnerability and build community resilience in the four countries.

DIMSUR will focus on increasing urban resilience by: creating synergies between the CCA and DDR agendas; developing capacities to build resilience; strengthening inter-country and regional partnerships; promoting good experiences, knowledge, practices and innovative programmes; and maximizing existing regional expertise, particularly within academia. DIMSUR will provide technical assistance and support knowledge exchange on CCA and DDR in Southern Africa.

UN-HABITAT and UNISDR established DIMSUR following a three-year participatory process that included sub-regional consultations and a feasibility study. The EU and the World Bank’s Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery will provide US$900,000 to support the Centre, which will be based at the National Institute of Meteorology (INAM) in Maputo, Mozambique. [UN-HABITAT Press Release]