DISASTER RISK REDUCTION: Dar shines in Africa

WINDHOEK, Namibia: TANZANIA has been named as the first country to integrate the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Early Action System (AMHEWAS) into national Disaster Risk Reduction strategies.

This has enhanced capacity to monitor, forecast, disseminate and improve early warning for early action for community resilience.

The revelation was made by Deputy Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Policy, Parliamentary Affairs and Coordination), Ummy Nderiananga during her keynote address to the 9th Africa Regional Platform and the 8th high-level meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in Windhoek, Namibia on Thursday.

According to the deputy minister, this was done through the inauguration of the Emergency Operation and Communication Centre Situation Room, which is the first national situation room under the African Union’s Africa AMHEWAS Programme.

Ms Nderiananga told participants that the government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, was equally working on establishing a national Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) financing framework to improve national measures and leverage regional and international DRR financing opportunities.

ALSO READ: How Jangwani Bridge will enhance Dar’s infrastructure, transportation network

According to the deputy minister, disaster risk mainstreaming in development plans and budget has been implemented in key sectors including health, infrastructure, education, agriculture and natural resources She noted that investing in disaster risk reduction has been the government priority whereas strategic guidance has been put in place through the National Five-Year Development Plan 2021/22–2025/26 and Guidelines for Preparation of Plans and Budget for all sectors to ensure disaster risk is mainstreamed in the planning process.

She added that measures to enhance preparedness for response and build back better through early warning systems for various hazards have been taken.

Also, Ms Nderiananga informed, disaster risk management in health systems have been strengthened through the establishment of the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre at national and some regions.

Similar efforts have been made in other sectors including transport, agriculture, water and education for community resilience.

The deputy minister further told participants that the Tanzanian government, under Dr Samia, encourages more efforts to accelerate implementation of the Sendai Framework and the Programme of Action for its implementation in Africa.

“Regional bodies need to strengthen mechanism for generation of risk information due to the transboundary nature of disaster and climate risk,’’ she said.

She added: “Investment is required to improve regional and international cooperation through technical and financial support on disaster risk reduction in areas of research and planning, technology for early warning and emergency operation communication for early action, critical infrastructure resilience and clean energy.’’

“Under the leadership of President Samia, I would like to assure you the highest commitment of the United Republic of Tanzania in ensuring that we continue to build a disaster resilient nation while contributing to the regional and global initiatives, facilitation and promotion of disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change,’’ she noted.

During the working session on Wednesday, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Jim Yonazi presented a paper on Taking the Africa Multi-Hazard Early Warning and Action System (AMHEWAS) from Continental to National.

ALSO READ: Mwinyi pushes for Africa to uplift economies

According to him, Tanzania recently inaugurated its National Emergency Operations and Communication Centre (EOCC) Situation Room in Dodoma, a significant milestone for national disaster preparedness.

“The establishment of EOCC in June 2024 was successful, with generous support from UNDRR, AUC and CIMA Research Foundation with funding from the Italian government,’’ he said. Moving forward, he insisted Tanzania will continue to invest in advanced DRR technology, capacity building and community engagement.

“We are confident that Tanzania will be better equipped to manage and mitigate the risks posed by future disasters,’’ noted Dr Yonazi.