The East African Community (EAC) Partner States have been urged to strengthen regional cooperation and take urgent measures to mitigate the anticipated impacts of severe El Niño rains. The call was made during the opening of an Emergency Multi-Sectoral Experts Meeting on Preparedness and Regional Response to the Anticipated Severe El Niño Rains, being held in Nairobi, Kenya, from November 4 to 6, 2026.
The meeting, which brings together experts from EAC Partner States, aims to assess Partner States' preparedness and response capacities, identify gaps, and develop a regional coordination plan to safeguard lives, essential services, and economic activities across East Africa. The Tanzanian delegation to the meeting is led by Brigadier General Hosea Ndagala, Director of Disaster Management Department in the Prime Minister's Office.
Forecasts indicate the possibility of above-normal rainfall between October and December 2026, calling for urgent preparedness and coordinated regional action. Uganda's Joint Multi-Sectoral Food Security and Nutrition Project Coordinator, Julius Twinamatsiko, urged Partner States to identify vulnerable transport infrastructure, establish alternative routes, ensure adequate supplies of food and livestock feed, and strengthen health services and disease surveillance.
An EAC Secretariat representative emphasized that El Niño-related impacts could threaten peace, security, and economic development, underscoring the need to integrate national preparedness efforts into a coordinated regional response. The representative highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening resilience against climate-related disasters.
The initiative comes as regional cooperation remains critical in strengthening resilience against climate-related disasters, particularly those capable of disrupting cross-border trade, transport networks, and the livelihoods of vulnerable communities. The EAC bloc comprises six Partner States: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
The meeting seeks to develop a regional coordination plan to mitigate the impacts of El Niño, including floods, landslides, infrastructure damage, and disruptions to trade and livelihoods. Partner States are expected to share their preparedness plans and response strategies to ensure a coordinated regional response.
The Tanzanian government, through the Prime Minister's Office, is working closely with other EAC Partner States to strengthen regional cooperation and mitigate the impacts of El Niño. The government has taken steps to enhance disaster preparedness and response, including establishing a disaster management department to coordinate relief efforts.
Key points
- EAC Partner States urged to strengthen regional cooperation to mitigate impacts of severe El Niño rains
- Forecasts indicate possibility of above-normal rainfall between October and December 2026
- Meeting seeks to develop regional coordination plan to safeguard lives, essential services, and economic activities
